In this section:

> Introduction to less stress
> Identifying stress
> Dealing with stress
> Coping strategies for stress
> More information

Introduction to stress

It’s perfectly normal for everyone to experience stress from time to time. But caring for somebody will often mean that you’re placed under a considerable amount of stress on a regular basis.

So while there are probably many times during the week when you can feel your stress levels rising — if you find yourself feeling close to breaking point much of the time, then it will not only have an impact on your own health but there will also be consequences for the person you're caring for.

What is stress?

Stress is a perfectly normal reaction to have when things are worrying you. When we experiences stress, our body releases hormones, including adrenaline, which changes the way our body functions in order to put it in an alert state ready to be able to fight or run.

This video explains what stress is and how you can manage it:

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Carers’ lives are more stressful than most but if you're feeling stressed all the time, it can lead to more serious health problems. You might feel like it's impossible to escape the things which are causing you stress but you can help to protect yourself by learning how to recognise the signs and symptoms of stress and take practical steps to help manage your stress levels and reduce its’ harmful effects.

> Next page - Identifying stress

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