Everyone feels stress from time to time, and we each experience stress differently. Stress is how your body reacts to any change or challenge that you experience in work or school, or as a result of a life change or traumatic event.

Stress can impact your emotions, mind and body in ways that negatively affect your overall health. For example, too much stress can impact your mood, behavior, relationships, and even work.

Things to know about stress:

• Consistent feelings of stress can affect your physical and mental health.
• On-going moderate to high levels of stress can make your symptoms even worse. Even moderate levels of stress that consistently or continuously occurs can be harmful to your overall wellbeing.
• Stress can lead to changes in your immune system. The affects of stress on your body can lower your immunity and make it harder for your body to fight off infections.

If you’re feeling stressed but aren’t sure how to manage it, there are steps you can take.

To get started, read about these resources, tools, apps, and articles so you can determine which stress management approaches are the right fit for you. 

Concerned about your child?

Children, teens, and young adults can also experience high levels of stress.

Signs of stress in young children can include anger, stomach aches, and acting withdrawn. Teens may experience anger, low-self esteem, headaches, and panic attacks.

Need more help?

Call 8-1-1: A free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available in British Columbia. Speak to a health service navigator, who can help you get the information you need to manage your health concerns, or those of your family.