{"id":5945,"date":"2025-09-12T09:16:41","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T09:16:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/?p=5945"},"modified":"2025-11-10T11:30:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T11:30:32","slug":"stress-how-does-it-affect-us-and-strategies-to-manage-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/stress-how-does-it-affect-us-and-strategies-to-manage-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Stress: how does it affect us and strategies to manage it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p><strong>Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p><nav><ol><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-is-stress\">What is stress?<\/a><ol><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#why-is-stress-not-always-bad\">Why is stress not always bad?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#do-all-people-experience-stress-the-same-way\">Do all people experience stress the same way?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#la-importancia-del-estres-positivo-ley-de-yerkes-dodson\">La importancia del estr\u00e9s positivo: Ley de Yerkes-Dodson<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#practical-exercise-consciously-managing-stress\">Practical exercise: Consciously managing stress<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#strategies-for-managing-stress\">Strategies for managing stress:<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stress is a natural and adaptive response to life&#8217;s challenges<\/strong>. Although we often see it as something negative, it\u2019s not always bad: in the right amount, stress helps us perform better. The problem arises when stress becomes chronic. In this article, we explain in depth what stress is, how it occurs, and how to manage it in a healthy way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-stress\"><strong>What is stress?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Stress is the way our body and mind respond to demands or situations we perceive as challenging or threatening. In other words, it doesn&#8217;t only depend on the situation itself, but also on <strong>how we perceive it<\/strong> and whether we believe we have the <strong>necessary resources to cope<\/strong> with it.<br><strong>Key point:<\/strong> <strong>Perception is fundamental<\/strong>. Sometimes we interpret a threat as much greater than it really is, or we underestimate our ability to face it.<strong>al<\/strong>. A veces, interpretamos una amenaza como mucho mayor de lo que realmente es, o subestimamos nuestra capacidad para enfrentarla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"275\" src=\"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/infographic-stress-perception-300x275.jpg\" alt=\"Infographic: Stress perception, opportunity or threat\" class=\"wp-image-5948\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/infographic-stress-perception-300x275.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/infographic-stress-perception.jpg 622w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-is-stress-not-always-bad\">Why is stress not always bad?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Feeling stress in the face of a real threat is adaptive and necessary. Let\u2019s look at two examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Real danger<\/strong>: You\u2019re on a safari and suddenly see a tiger nearby. The body reacts by releasing adrenaline and cortisol: you prepare to fight or flee. In this case, stress saves your life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Everyday situations<\/strong>: You feel overwhelmed by too much work. Even though your life is not in danger, the body reacts the same way: elevated cortisol, constant alertness. The problem is that the &#8220;danger&#8221; doesn\u2019t go away, and stress remains over time, damaging your physical and mental health.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong>: Occasional stress is good; chronic stress is not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-all-people-experience-stress-the-same-way\">Do all people experience stress the same way?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No. We don\u2019t all react the same way to a given stressor. This depends on multiple factors that act as modulators and mediators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Factors that influence the stress response:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Personal characteristics<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Personality<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Self-esteem<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Perceived control<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Self-efficacy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optimism<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Resilience <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/internal-and-external-locus-of-control\/\">Locus of control<\/a> (Do I attribute causes externally or internally?)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social characteristics<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Perceived social support (more important than actual support)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Size and quality of the social network<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Socioeconomic level<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coping styles<\/strong>: There are two main coping styles:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Problem-focused coping<\/strong>: Aimed at modifying the situation causing stress.<br>Example: planning, problem-solving, confronting the issue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emotion-focused coping<\/strong>: Aimed at managing the emotions triggered by the situation.<br>Example: seeking support, acceptance, relaxation techniques.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Which is better?<\/strong> It depends. If the problem can be changed, it\u2019s best to <strong>focus on the problem<\/strong>. If it can\u2019t (such as a chronic illness), we need to <strong>work on our emotions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"la-importancia-del-estres-positivo-ley-de-yerkes-dodson\">La importancia del estr\u00e9s positivo: Ley de Yerkes-Dodson<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>L<strong>The Yerkes-Dodson Law<\/strong> explains that a moderate level of arousal and stress enhances performance, but too little or too much harms it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Low stress<\/strong>: Low performance (apathy, lack of motivation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Optimal stress<\/strong>: Peak performance (focus, energy, motivation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High stress<\/strong>: Low performance (anxiety, mental blocks, fatigue)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why learning to regulate our arousal level is key to both personal and professional success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/infographic-curvature-intensity-duration-stress-300x265.jpg\" alt=\"Infographic: Curvature of stress intensity and duration\" class=\"wp-image-5949\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333;object-fit:cover;width:404px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/infographic-curvature-intensity-duration-stress-300x265.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/infographic-curvature-intensity-duration-stress.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"practical-exercise-consciously-managing-stress\">Practical exercise: Consciously managing stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Think about a situation currently causing you distress. It could be related to work, family, or a relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Identify which aspects depend on you<\/strong> and which do not.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Focus on what you can control<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Let go of what is beyond your control<\/strong>: spending energy there will only increase your frustration.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember: working on what does depend on you gives you power, motivation, and reduces stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strategies-for-managing-stress\">Strategies for managing stress:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Changing thoughts<\/strong>: Identify and challenge negative or irrational thoughts that increase distress, such as:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Catastrophizing (&#8220;this will be a disaster&#8221;)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overgeneralizing (&#8220;if I fail once, I\u2019ll always fail&#8221;)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helpless thinking (&#8220;there\u2019s nothing I can do&#8221;)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Changing behaviors<\/strong>: Modify behaviors that sustain the problem, such as avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emotional regulation techniques<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Diaphragmatic breathing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grounding technique 5-4-3-2-1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Progressive muscle relaxation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meditation or mindfulness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Safe place visualization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regular physical activity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>These techniques help <strong>reduce arousal, but they don<\/strong><strong>\u2019<\/strong><strong>t solve the root problem<\/strong> if there\u2019s an underlying conflict or complex situation. In such cases, therapeutic support is recommended to work on the source of distress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stress is part of life, and when well managed, it can be an ally. The key is to <strong>identify it, understand it, and apply the right strategies<\/strong> so that it doesn\u2019t control or harm your health. If you feel that stress is overwhelming or you\u2019re struggling to manage it on your own, don\u2019t hesitate to contact our general health psychology service for professional help. Working on your emotional well-being is an investment in quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Ester Oliver<br>Psic\u00f3loga General Sanitaria<br>Col. B-03379<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stress is a natural and adaptive response to life&#8217;s challenges. Although we often see it as something negative, it\u2019s not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5954,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5945","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-psychology"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/stress-how-does-it-affect-us-strategies-to-manage-it.jpg",995,624,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/stress-how-does-it-affect-us-strategies-to-manage-it-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/stress-how-does-it-affect-us-strategies-to-manage-it-300x188.jpg",300,188,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/stress-how-does-it-affect-us-strategies-to-manage-it-768x482.jpg",768,482,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/stress-how-does-it-affect-us-strategies-to-manage-it.jpg",995,624,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/stress-how-does-it-affect-us-strategies-to-manage-it.jpg",995,624,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/stress-how-does-it-affect-us-strategies-to-manage-it.jpg",995,624,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Instituto Psicolog\u00eda Sexolog\u00eda","author_link":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Stress is a natural and adaptive response to life&#8217;s challenges. 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