Stress is a normal reaction the body has when changes occur, resulting in physical, emotional and intellectual responses. Stress management training can help you deal with changes in a healthier way. For more information visit the Cleveland Clinic's website. 

Stress is mostly a physical response. When stressed, the body thinks it is under attack and switches to ‘fight or flight’ mode, releasing a complex mix of hormones and chemicals such as adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine to prepare the body for physical action. This causes a number of reactions, from blood being diverted to muscles to shutting down unnecessary bodily functions such as digestion. That's why when we are stressed we might feel like our heart is racing and we are breathing quickly. Or we might feel stuck, unable to move and take things in.

There are times though when we are under a lot of stress, from a lot of different sources and it can cause big problems. We can develop unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol, drug use, gambling, or even unhealthy sexual relationships. We can stop taking care of ourselves, stop attending class/work, ignore paying our bills, and feel there is no way out. 

Stress is part of life, we can't eradicate it entirely but what we can do is learn to manage it in a better way. Below is information about how to manage stress, including support accessible within TSTC and resources online.