1: There is nothing you can do about stress

Whilst everyone will experience stress at some point in their lives there are numerous ways people can reduce the likelihood of becoming stressed and the impact it might have on them. For example, strategies for reducing and coping with stress can be setting priorities, getting enough sleep, relaxation or physical exercises etc.

2: Children don’t get stressed.

Like adults, children and teenagers can experience stress. Children may not have the words to express how they they feel, so it is important to be aware of the signs of stress such as irritability, social withdrawal, trouble sleeping etc. Causes of stress in young people might be related to, moving home, moving schools, parents separating/divorcing, bullying, exam pressure etc.

3: Stress is a choice

Stress isn’t something we decide to have or not have. It’s a natural response to stressors in our lives. So whilst we can’t control most stressors, we could reframe how we think and respond to them, thereby reducing our feelings of stress.

For example, a deadline at school or work might be causing you stress, you may not be able to change those deadlines, but reviewing your thinking and identifying positive actions or opportunities could shift the way you feel and consequently react. Viewing the deadline as an opportunity to prove your knowledge and taking action by preparing may reduce the amount of stress you feel.

So, it isn’t as simple as choosing not to feel stressed. The key is to understand your thinking, identify what you have control over and develop coping strategies which can shift your response to stress and make it more manageable.

4: Stress is the same for everyone.

People do not experience stress in the same way. Similarly, what causes one person to become stressed (a stressor) can be different, too. For example, some people thrive in high-powered jobs whilst others can feel stressed by it. What a stressor is and how we react to stress is personal and subjective.

5: You should only be concerned about long-term stress

Prolonged stress can lead to other health problems. Whilst stressful situations can sometimes be unavoidable, you should always be mindful of how to look after yourself so that stress doesn’t have an accumulative impact.

6: You can always spot who is stressed.

The signs of stress are not shown in the same way by everyone. Whilst some may experience mood swings, be short tempered and less patient, others may internalize their stress and become depressed or anxious. Stress has a wide range of effects on mood, behaviour and emotions.

7: Alcohol makes you less stressed.

Whilst drinking alcohol may seem to help someone feel more at ease and therefore less stressed, the source of the stress remains the same once the effects of alcohol wear off. Additionally, reliance on substances to reduce stress could lead to further issues relating to reliance and misuse.

8: Stress is bad for you.

Excess of the stress hormone cortisol has been linked to alterations in the memory, cognition, immune system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system and the gastrointestinal system. Stress can therefore impact many areas of the body. However, research has also shown that short-term stress can boost your immune system.

9: Stress is a mental illness or condition.

Whilst stress has been recognised as both a contributing factor and symptom of some mental health conditions, it is not itself a psychiatric condition.