Stress is the body's natural response to threats and challenges. It is meant to be short-term but chronic stress takes a toll physically and mentally over time. The document discusses what stress is, its effects, and various strategies for managing stress such as removing oneself from stressful situations, relaxation, sleep, diet, and seeking help if stress becomes unmanageable. Managing stress is important to maintain health, happiness, relationships and work performance as excessive long-term stress can be very damaging.

1. THE IMPORTANCE OF MANAGING STRESS Tanya Mc Laughlin Aisling Nelis Carole Mc Veigh

2. INTRODUCTION What is stress? How do we know when we are feeling stress? What are the effects of stress? How to relieve stress? How do we manage stress? The importance of managing stress? Summary Bibliography's

3. What is Stress Stress… ... Is an internal alarm system that prepares your body for action in response to any real or perceived threat or fear in moderation, stress is natural, normal and necessary.

4. How do we know when we are feeling stress?

5. What are the effects of stress?

8. How do we manage stress? Stress Management is the ability to maintain control when situations, people, and events make excessive demands. What you can do to manage your stress? Remove yourself from the stressful situation Don’t over whelm yourself Don’t sweat the small stuff Learn how to best relax yourself Avoid extreme reactions Do something for others Get enough sleep & Eat Healthily Avoid self-medication or escape Work off stress Try to be positive Most importantly, if stress is putting you in an unmanageable state or interfering with your schoolwork, social and/or work life, seek professional help

9. The importance of managing stress? People from all walks of life suffer from stress one way or another. Stress can make you weak so if you do not take care of yourself you can get sick which can lead to more problems down the road. When stress becomes excessive it can be very damaging. It can harm: health, happiness, work performance, team spirit and co-operation, relationships and personal development It is important to recognise and address the underlying causes of stress, or else the experience of stress will never go away.

11. Stress is necessary in order to survive Stress is necessary for development and growth Stress helps us to achieve peak performance when required Stress is manageable Too much stress can wear us out “mentally and physically” and is a leading cause of illness Try to identify your own stress triggers Adopt techniques which work for you - we all cope with stress differently Be aware of your own symptoms of stress

12. Accept yourself and don't try to be perfect Take action to tackle your problems Look after yourself physically and mentally