Stress vs stressors

Understanding the distinction between stress and stressors is important as we need to manage stress and stressors differently.

What is stress?

Stress refers to the body's response to perceived threats or challenges, resulting in physical, mental, and emotional strain.

“Stress is a reaction to a situation – it isn't about the actual situation. We usually feel stressed when we think that the demands of the situation are greater than our resources to deal with that situation. For example, someone who feels comfortable speaking in public may not worry about giving a presentation, while someone who isn't confident in their skills may feel a lot of stress about an upcoming presentation.”

From: “Stress”, Canadian Mental Health Association, 2018

What are stressors?

Stressors, on the other hand, are the external or internal triggers that cause stress. Stressors can be various events, situations, or conditions that disrupt an individual's equilibrium and trigger a stress response. In other words, stressors are the specific factors or circumstances that cause stress to occur in an individual, while stress is the body's response to those stressors.

How to manage stress?

Managing stress involves various strategies, such as practicing self-care (exercise, sleep, healthy diet), setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, using time management techniques, seeking support from friends or professionals, practicing relaxation techniques (deep breathing, meditation), and maintaining a positive mindset through self-reflection and self-compassion.

How to manage stressors?

Managing stressors involves identifying and addressing the root causes of stress. Strategies include effective communication, problem-solving, setting realistic expectations, delegating tasks, practicing assertiveness, setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, seeking support from trusted individuals, and developing healthy coping mechanisms such as exercise, mindfulness, and self-reflection.