I often find myself tapping my foot, shaking my leg, and shifting in my seat when I am in a stressful situation.
I have come to realize that I have a very delayed stress response.
I feel tension only after the event has happened.
You've probably seen this happen: someone is stressed out, and seemingly out of nowhere, they just break down. They're crying, their body is shaking, they're hyperventilating… it can be hard to watch. But what's happening isn't necessarily that they started freaking out at the moment—it's more likely that they had a delayed response to the stress.
A delayed stress response is an incredibly common reaction, and it can occur a few hours after an event or even a few days later. They can look like anger, sadness, or anxiety, and they can also manifest as physical symptoms—like headaches or stomachaches—or through things like social withdrawal or sleep disturbances.
When people have such a delayed stress reaction, it's usually because the situation has been so overwhelming for them that their bodies shut down at the moment and wait until later to start processing their feelings. They might not even realize at first that something is wrong until the emotion comes out of nowhere!
Once you've identified that you're having a delayed stress reaction, there are some techniques you can use to help yourself get through it. You don't have to wait until it's over before you take care of yourself—you can practice self-care even during
Here are our favorite five ways to reduce stress:
Balance responsibilities (like schoolwork) with activities you enjoy (like relaxing or spending time with friends). It's all about balance: all work and no play is bad.
Make sure your workload is manageable. Manage your time wisely, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Eat healthy foods. No, really—this one makes a big difference! A healthy diet will help you feel better, both physically and mentally.
Get proper sleep. You'll feel much better if you go to bed at a reasonable hour each night and get at least 8 hours of sleep.
Make time to exercise every day. This may seem like the last thing you want to do when you're stressed but trust us: exercise has been proven to have a positive effect on mental health.