Feeling stressed? What stress means and how coaching can help

We live in a society where stressors permeate our everyday lives from a young age; the constant life pressures and demands can result in a constant state of stress that can have lasting effects on our emotional, mental and physical health.

Firstly, what are these stressors?

Stressors are defined as the triggers in life that cause stress, for example, having a baby, the pressure to pass exams, excessive workload, a philandering spouse or a diagnosis of a terminal illness. 

Some stressors in life can be perceived as good and some as bad; we welcome the good stressors in life as they motivate us to overcome a challenge and achieve a goal over a short time period; however, we often feel overwhelmed by bad stressors in life, leading to ongoing chronic stress levels which can elevate stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, and compromise our immune, digestive and reproductive systems.

Stressors or triggers in life become stressful when the demands in life outweigh our resources, when we feel as though everything is out of our control and when we can’t comprehend the reasons behind and meaning of our life challenges.

The degree of stress experienced therefore lies in how we view these stressors or triggers; we often can’t remove stressors in life, and so it’s important we establish self-awareness, take control of our perceptions and responses, find meaning amidst adversity and build our resilience.

How coaching can help

Life coaching may offer a structured space in which to reflect on current stressors and consider possible ways forward. A coach can help you notice patterns in your thoughts, feelings and behaviour, explore a different perspective and identify practical changes in areas such as relationships, well-being and work.

Changing our perspective cannot remove every source of stress, particularly when it is caused by circumstances beyond our individual control. However, greater awareness may help us decide where we can take action, where we need support and how we want to respond to disruption and adversity.

These steps may contribute to resilience during inevitably stressful periods of life. If stress is persistent, feels overwhelming or is affecting your health or ability to manage daily life, consider speaking to your GP or an appropriately qualified mental health professional.