How do I stop stressing? Signs, triggers and first steps to recovery

Stress is part of being human, but when it stops being an occasional reaction and starts becoming your constant state of mind, it can begin to take over your life.

If you’ve found yourself asking, “How do I stop stressing?”, many others are asking them same questions, but there are ways to break the cycle.

This article will help you understand how stress works, why some people are more prone to it than others, and what you can do to manage it, including how Sophrology can be a valuable part of your toolkit.

The World Health Organisation has described stress as the ‘health epidemic of the 21st century,’ and with good reason. In the UK, research from the Mental Health Foundation found that 74% of adults have felt so stressed in the past year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. This isn’t just the odd bad day or a temporary rough patch.

For many, stress has become a constant undercurrent, affecting sleep, relationships, concentration, and even physical health.

Stress rarely appears out of nowhere. It’s usually linked to a situation, thought, or feeling that the mind and body interpret as a challenge or threat.

For some people, work pressures are the biggest culprit: tight deadlines, heavy workloads, job insecurity, or difficult colleagues can all send stress levels soaring. Others find that major life changes, even positive ones like getting married or moving house, can throw them off balance.

Family responsibilities are another common source of stress, whether that’s caring for young children, supporting elderly relatives, or managing relationship challenges.

Financial worries, health concerns, and the constant barrage of notifications from emails, messages, and social media can all add to the pressure.

It’s worth remembering that stress can also come from situations that are, on paper, exciting or desirable. A long-awaited holiday, a big promotion, or the arrival of a new baby can all be stressful simply because they require significant emotional and physical adjustment.

Not everyone responds to the same situation in the same way. While one person might thrive on a tight deadline, another might find it overwhelming. This difference is partly down to biology; some people have a more reactive nervous system, which means their body’s “fight-or-flight” response kicks in more easily.

Your upbringing and early experiences can also shape your stress response. Growing up in a high-pressure or unpredictable environment can make you more sensitive to stress as an adult.

Personality traits play a role too. Perfectionists, high achievers, and people-pleasers often put themselves under more pressure than is necessary, sometimes without even realising it.

Current life circumstances are also a factor. Juggling multiple responsibilities, experiencing financial strain, or lacking a strong support network can make it harder to cope when challenges arise.

The most important thing to understand is that being more prone to stress is not a sign of weakness. It’s the result of a combination of factors, many of which you can learn to work with and manage over time.

Sophrology is a gentle, structured mind-body practice that blends breathing exercises, gentle movement, visualisation, and mindfulness. Its aim is to help you reconnect with your body, calm your mind, and build resilience so you can handle life’s challenges more effectively.

When it comes to stress, Sophrology works on two levels:

• Immediate relief — techniques like focused breathing or guided relaxation can quickly calm your nervous system in moments of tension.
• Long-term resilience — regular practice trains your mind and body to respond to stress in a calmer, more balanced way, so triggers have less impact over time.

One of the key benefits of Sophrology is its accessibility. You don’t need special equipment, and you can practice almost anywhere, whether it’s before a big meeting, on your lunch break, or as part of your evening wind-down.

If you feel like stress has become your default setting, it can be hard to imagine things being different. But change is possible, and it doesn’t require a complete life overhaul to begin. By learning to recognise your own signs and triggers, experimenting with small daily changes, and exploring supportive practices like Sophrology, you can create more moments of calm in your day.

You may not be able to remove every challenge from your life, but you can change the way you meet them. That’s where the real transformation happens – when stress no longer dictates your mood, your energy, or your sense of self.