In small doses, stress can be a great motivator. (Would you really have tackled that boring work project without the looming deadline?) But feeling majorly stressed out for a prolonged amount of time doesn’t just feel bad, it can negatively impact your health—and your looks.
Even though stress management is crucial for mental and physical well-being, it’s not something most people are ever actually taught. That’s where the science-backed and therapist-approved tips that follow come in. Educating yourself doesn’t mean you’ll never feel stressed again, but it does mean you’ll be better equipped when stressful situations do happen or you start to feel overwhelmed.
The Consequences of Not Dealing With Stress
There’s a reason why stress has a bad rap, but therapist Frank Thewes, LCSW, says that stress is a fact of life and it’s not all bad. He points out that happy life events—like moving, starting a new job you’re pumped to have landed, or getting engaged—all come with a side of stress. A life of no stress would mean not experiencing any of that.
“Stress is a natural response that can help push us to meet deadlines or other responsibilities. The stress to do well can also push us to grow,” says Ken Fierheller, RP, a registered psychotherapist, highlighting another benefit of stress. But both therapists say that stress crosses over from beneficial to bad when it’s prolonged—especially if it’s at a high level. Thewes says prolonged stress (even if it’s serving as your primary motivator) can lead to
burnout.
You probably have already experienced first-hand the detrimental ways stress can impact your mood. Stress can lead to anxiety and being consumed with worry and rumination. There’s also a strong connection between chronic stress and depression. Ever feel like punching the wall or yelling at anyone who crosses your path when you feel stressed out? Scientific research shows that anger can be a natural stress response in men, accompanied by an increase in heart rate and rise in cortisol levels.
All of that is just how stress can impact your
mental health. Loads of scientific research shows that prolonged, chronic stress is horrible for physical health too. Sorry to be dramatic and all, but stress can kill you. “[Prolonged stress can] contribute to physical issues like heart problems, weight gain, or sleep disorders like insomnia,” Fierheller says. —
Emily Laurence
You’ve gotten your wakeup call—read on for the best ways to actually deal with stress. 
