let’s reflect.
At Good Human Work, we believe that real change takes time. We learn, we reflect, we practice change, we rest, we repeat.
June 5, 2026
Why you’re stressed and what to do about it
Let’s learn.
In today’s world, it’s no surprise that we all feel stressed out and overwhelmed.
We each have our own individual stressors that come with our jobs, families, relationships, finances and responsibilities, and on top of all of these, we have societal stressors that affect all of us.
However, stress and anxiety are obstacles we can all overcome if we have the tools and understand it better.
The media constantly bombards us with negative information, and we’re made to feel as though the weight of the world rests on our shoulders. Technology makes our life easier in so many ways, but it also blurs the lines between work and home and makes us feel like we’re always on the clock.
To top it all off, we’re told by society that we need to "do it all”, and if we can’t handle the pressure, we label ourselves as “weak” or “failing”.
SIGNS OF STRESS OVERLOAD
Our bodies have many different ways of warning us that our stress level is too high. Here are a few signs to watch out for:
difficulty concentrating or processing information
sleep issues (trouble falling or staying asleep)
forgetfulness
feeling hopeless, overwhelmed, or irritable
desire to pull away from family, friends, activities or responsibilities
physical symptoms (headache, fatigue, stomach ache)
chronic pain
appetite increase or decrease
increased negative coping mechanisms (i.e. addictive or unhealthy behaviors including substances, internet use, gambling, spending, etc.)
Let’s reflect.
MANAGING YOUR STRESS
Stress has so many negative affects on our mental, emotional, physical, and relational functioning that it’s essential to find ways to manage stress and cope with all that life throws our way. If stress gets stuck “on”, we need to know how to turn it off, or we’ll end up in an unhealthy space.
Ironically, stress isn’t always bad however. Sometimes as therapists we talk about “good stress” in relation to how reasonable, short bouts of stress can be motivating, even giving us energy and purpose when we need it.
The keys to “good stress” are 1. a mental framework that stress is motivational, not destructive (our attitude toward it), and 2. the duration and intensity of it not being too much.
If we’re in a stressful state for a long period of time, it will hurt our bodies and minds. It can create anxiety and depression symptoms.
And/or
If the stress we’re experiencing is too intense, it will hurt our bodies and minds. It can create anxiety and depression symptoms.
Let’s practice change.
HERE ARE TIPS TO START REDUCING STRESS
1. Take better care of yourself.
This should probably go without saying, but it’s incredible how often we forget to do this. When stress is especially high, TRUE self-care tends to fall to the bottom of our list. Of course, this is actually when it’s most important.
Real self-care includes time spent outdoors, time spent with friends and family, engagement in creative endeavors and hobbies, eating healthy, practicing mindfulness, and a multitude of other practices.
2. Make a list and break things down.
When you feel most overwhelmed, it can be helpful to write out your sources of stress on paper. Somehow, the big scary stressors that float around in our heads feel much less intimidating on paper. Be sure to handwrite it (the brain registers this differently than typing.)
Once you have a list, it can be helpful to brainstorm some strategies to deal with each stressor. If you find a massive stressor on your list (like “relationship issues” or “crappy job”), it can be helpful to break it down into smaller sub-issues and create strategies and goals for each sub-issue instead.
3. Talk about it.
This may sound like another easy one, but there’s a lot that we hold inside when we’re overloaded with stress.
You may find yourself venting to friends, family and co-workers but we sometimes keep things at a surface-level. Truly communicating to someone you trust about the deep issues like fear, insecurity, etc. can provide tremendous relief and make you feel more connected and less alone.
There are times when we feel like we’re exhausting our support systems, and we’re asking for more than others can give us. If this is the case, remember, that’s why our jobs exist. Having a therapist provides you with someone to vent to who also happens to have a great deal of helpful knowledge and experience. If you feel you need someone outside your support system, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
4. Be kind to yourself.
This is hands down the MOST important strategy to reduce stress.
When we’re really stressed out, we often compound the stress by getting upset with ourselves for being stressed (or moody, or irritable, or whatever else) and that added frustration ends up doubling our stress!
As children, we’re taught that when we see others struggling, we should show kindness, compassion and understanding. Imagine how much easier life would be if we did this for ourselves.
Whenever you find yourself being especially distracted, irritable, or anxious, say to yourself, “I’m ok, I’ll get through this.” Every time we gently speak to ourselves with supportive and encouraging words, a little of the stress begins to ease. Healthy self-compassion doesn’t take us off the hook from handling the hard stuff, it just makes the hard stuff easier to handle.
And now, let’s rest.
