HOW TO DEAL WITH QUIET STRESS

Look out for it:

“Are you unhappy with a situation yet doing nothing to change it, drinking or eating more than usual, overthinking situations but not talking about them out loud, or procrastinating while falling behind on your to-do list? If so, you could be quietly stressed,” says Lavender.

Speak up:

“Not speaking up for yourself is often a symptom of quiet stress,” says Lavender. “If somebody sitting next to you on the train is playing their music too loud, politely ask them to turn it down. If your boss is overloading you, calmly tell them and discuss ways to address your workload. Don’t quietly stew.”

Treat it as you would regular stress:

“In the same way that regular exercise, a balanced diet, mindfulness or meditation, time spent with loved ones, and not overcommitting yourself at work, home or socially, helps to counter the effects of externally shown stress, the same applies for quiet stress,” says Prof Cooper.

Talk to somebody:

“Whether it’s a trusted friend or a counsellor, talking helps to dissipate quiet stress,” says Prof Cooper.

Write it down:

“If you’re unable to speak up about what’s bothering you, write down your feelings after the event in a quiet environment,” says Lavender. “For example, ‘I should have said this, or done that, when that person upset me.’ Or, ‘This is how I’m feeling …’ There’s a real value in being able to release your stress, rather than internalising it. This is especially helpful for introverts, or those who struggle with confrontation.”