I Googled: “What is stress?”
TL;DR: It is a reaction we all have, and it is very valid to react to something that can be considered “small.”
According to Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Stress is the body’s response to a real or perceived threat. That response is meant to get people ready for some kind of action to get them out of danger. But most of the threats people face today aren’t something that they can fight or run away from. These threats are usually problems that people have to work through.
Some stress can be a good thing. It can motivate us to focus on a task or take action and solve a problem. In this situation, stress is manageable and even helpful. But -when stress is unhelpful, people may feel overwhelmed or feel like they can’t possibly fix the problem. In these cases, some people avoid dealing with the original problem altogether, which may make the problem—and stress—worse.
It can be very hard to concentrate, make decisions, and feel confident when a person experiences a lot of stress. One may experience physical sensations like sweating, a racing heart, or tense muscles. Over time, stress can also have a big impact on physical health. Sleep difficulties and headaches are common problems related to stress. People are also more likely to get sick when they’re experiencing a lot of stress.
“Stress is a reaction to a situation—it isn’t about the actual situation. ”
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. Common sources of stress may include major life events, like moving or changing jobs. Long-term worries, like a long-term illness or parenting, can also feel stressful. Even daily hassles like dealing with traffic can be a source of stress.
The takeaway is that stress can be motivating or debilitating, but it is a very human reaction that cannot be eliminated. If managed in a healthy manner, it can help you in daily life, and prevent future threats. Part of management is noticing your body symptoms and making efforts for prevention.