Stress is a natural reaction of the body to a challenge or threat - the so-called "fight-or-flight" program, in which hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are released.

What forms of stress are there?

A distinction is made between positive stress (eustress), which motivates and promotes performance, and negative stress (distress), which is a burden when excessive demands are made.

What are the physical and psychological signs of constant stress?

Symptoms include tension, headaches, sleep disorders, exhaustion, gastrointestinal complaints, increased blood pressure as well as irritability, impatience, concentration problems and nervousness.

What helps acutely against stress?

Breathing techniques such as 4-7-8 breathing, exercise such as a short walk, conscious breaks and distraction from stress triggers provide immediate relief from acute stress.

What long-term strategies help to reduce stress?

Long-term stress management can be achieved through mindfulness and meditation, good time management with clear priorities, mental work on beliefs and social support through discussions, coaching or therapy.

Why is stress more than just a hectic day?

Stress is an interplay of biological reaction, mental evaluation and personal attitude - it can drive or block, motivate or exhaust.

Balance

What is stress? Causes, symptoms & ways to find inner peace

A woman is sitting at the table and is stressed. Stress is a condition that everyone is familiar with. But what is stress?

AuthorEllen Andresen

Verified byDr. med. Stefan Frädrich

Updated on: 20/06/2025

Your pulse rises, your thoughts spin, your breathing becomes shallow: stress is a condition that everyone is familiar with. But what exactly happens in our body and mind when we feel stressed? And what is the difference between short-term pressure and chronic overload? In this article, you will find out what stress really is, how it arises and how you can deal with it more mindfully.

What is stress? A holistic definition

Stress is a natural reaction of the body to a challenge or threat. This so-called "Fight-or-Flight"In evolutionary terms, this reaction has helped us to act quickly in dangerous situations. The organism releases increased amounts of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline to put the body on alert.

However, if this reaction becomes a permanent condition, we speak of chronic stress - and this can make you physically and mentally ill.

Forms of stress: eustress and distress

Stress is not negative per se. A distinction is made:

EustressPositive stress that motivates us and increases our performance (e.g. in a sporting competition or creative project).
Distress: Negative stress that overwhelmedparalyzes or makes you ill.

So it is not just the event that is decisive, but how we evaluate and cope with it.

Stress is sometimes unavoidable at work. The stress seems to trigger headaches in the woman

Typical stress triggers

Stress can have many causes - and they are as individual as people themselves. Nevertheless, some typical stressors can be identified:

Work pressure and lack of time
Private conflicts and relationship problems
High demands on yourself
Overstimulation due to constant availability
Insecurity, financial worries or Fears of the future

How we deal with these triggers depends heavily on our inner beliefs, resources and our mental health. Resilience as of.

Symptoms of stress: Warning signals from body and psyche

Many people only realize late on that they are exhausted - because they don't interpret the body's signals or ignore them. Pay particular attention to these symptoms:

Physical signs:

Tension, headaches
Sleep disorders, exhaustion
Gastrointestinal complaints
Increased blood pressure, palpitations

Psychological signs:

Irritability, impatience
Concentration problems
Feeling of being overwhelmed
listlessness or nervousness

If these signals persist over a longer period of time, it is important to pause and consciously take countermeasures.

Strategies for coping

There are many ways to deal with stress. Not all of them suit everyone - the important thing is that you find your own individual approach.

Immediate help for acute stress:

Breathing techniques like 4-7-8 breathing
Movee.g. a short walk
Conscious breaks and distraction from the trigger

Long-term stress management:

Mindfulness and meditation for inner centering
Time Management and clear priorities
Mental work to Beliefs and internal pressure
Social support through discussions, coaching or therapy

"Stress is not what happens to you. It's how you react to it."
- Dr. Stefan Frädrich, Greator Coach and expert

A woman meditates at her desk and is less stressed as a result.

The path to more inner peace: how Greator can support you

At Greator, we help people to live more mindfully and healthily. A good place to start is our free Meditation Challenge be. In just a few minutes a day, you will learn how to calm your mind, switch off better and improve your Strengthen resilience.

For many people, this is the first step out of stress mode and into a new life. a more conscious life.

Conclusion: What is stress really?

Stress is more than just a hectic day - it is an interplay of biological reactions, mental evaluation and personal attitude. It can drive or block, motivate or exhaust. The decisive factor is how you deal with it.

With the right knowledge, conscious awareness and suitable tools, you can learn not only to cope with stress, but also to use it as a signal for necessary change.