Stress is your body's natural response to demands or perceived threats and it affects your thoughts, emotions, and body function.

🩺 Symptoms

• When you ask "What is stress?", common signs include emotional (irritability, anxiety), cognitive (difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts), physical (headache, muscle tension, sleep changes), and behavioural (changes in appetite, social withdrawal).

⚕️ What this is

• Stress is a normal short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) reaction to pressures such as work, relationships, health, or major life change; it mobilizes energy but becomes harmful if persistent.

🏥 Self-care steps

• Practice brief breathing or relaxation exercises (5–10 minutes daily).
• Prioritize sleep, regular activity, and balanced meals.
• Set boundaries and break tasks into small steps; ask for support from friends/family.
• Limit caffeine, alcohol, and late-night screen time.

⚠️ When to see a doctor

• Seek urgent help and call Apollo Emergency - 1066 if you have thoughts of harming yourself or others.
• See a psychiatrist if stress is persistent, severely interferes with daily life, or you need medication; consider a clinical psychologist for therapy like cognitive-behavioural therapy.

If you want, I can explain specific coping exercises or when medication might be considered.