Stress: the facts

​What are the effects of stress?

Stress has physical, behavioural and emotional effects on your health and wellbeing.

Physical effects include:

• racing pulse / palpitations
• high blood pressure
• backache / neckache
• heartburn / indigestion
• rapid breathing

Behavioural effects include:

• changes in eating habits
• tiredness
• tearfulness
• increased alcohol consumption / smoking

Emotional effects include:

• poor concentration
• forgetfulness
• poor decision making

How can I manage stress?

To manage stress, you need to be aware of what makes you stressed and how it affects you. You can then find ways that can help you to cope with this stress.

If stress affects you in a physical way, then you could:

• learn to control your breathing
• exercise regularly
• eat a balanced diet
• improve your relaxation skills

If stress has a behavioural effect on you, then you could:

• cut down on stimulants like coffee
• develop assertiveness skills
• take time out to unwind

If you have an emotional response to stress, then you could:

• try not to worry about things that are out of your control
• focus on positive achievements
• review your job / work arrangements

Stress in the workplace on the Health and safety executive website
NHS website​
Mental Health Foundation website
Download Stress - a guide to better health fact sheet (size 259kb)​​