A Spectrum of Stress: From Everyday Struggles to Deep Distress
Stress is a part of life. It can be both a positive & negative force in your life. Stress in & of itself is not bad. At times, it can motivate you to meet challenges or deadlines, and in this case can be helpful & manageable; however, when the stress in your life becomes overwhelming, it can take a toll on your emotional & physical wellbeing.
In my practice I work with clients navigating a variety of levels of stress from the pressures of daily life to the deep impact of traumatic experiences. Understanding that what you refer to as “stress” in your life is really a spectrum of experiences that manifests in variety of ways is the first step toward reclaiming your sense of balance.
Everyday Stress: The Body’s Immediate Response
Regular or “everyday” stress is the type of stressor most of you are familiar with. It’s a temporary response to a specific situation like preparing for a big presentation, narrowly avoiding a car accident, or managing a heated disagreement. While these situations can feel intense in the moment, these kinds of daily stressors should resolve quickly and allow your mind and body to return its baseline.
Short term stressors usually manifest in physical and emotional ways. You might experience a racing heart, shortness of breath, irritability, or difficulty focusing; but, repeated & ongoing experiences of daily stress can begin to feel unmanageable which brings us to…
Chronic Stress: When Pressure Becomes Persistent
Chronic stress occurs when the daily stressors don’t let up. This might look like financial strain, workplace burnout, or ongoing caregiving responsibilities. Over time, this type of chronic stress can lead to exhaustion, feelings of helplessness, or even health issues like high blood pressure, headaches, and a weakened immune system.
Emotionally, chronic stress often shows up as a constant sense of being on edge or having difficulty relaxing even during downtime. It can also affect your relationships, sleep, and self-esteem, making it harder to cope with life’s demands.
Traumatic Stress: The Impact of Overwhelming Experiences
Last but certainly not least, there is traumatic stress that is the result of experiences that overwhelm your ability to cope and can include anything from abuse, natural disasters or a sudden loss to neglect or abandonment. Unlike every day stressors or chronic stress, traumatic stress can leave a lasting imprint on how you perceive the world, process emotions, and socially engage with others.
People dealing with traumatic stress might experience flashbacks, nightmares, heightened vigilance, or a sense of emotional numbness. These experiences can persist long after the initial event, often interfering with daily life and relationships.
Tailoring Support to Your Unique Needs
Whether you’re having trouble managing your daily stressors, feeling exhausted from the burnout of chronic stress, or struggling with the lasting effects of traumatic stress, it’s essential to recognize that your experience is unique. So is your path to healing. My integrative and holistic approach is to meant to meet you where you are.
For those managing daily stress, our work might involve learning practical tools like mindfulness and grounding exercises to quickly regain a sense of peace. If chronic stress is your challenge, we’ll explore the root causes and develop sustainable strategies to deal with the burnout. For clients navigating traumatic stress, I offer a compassionate space to help you process your experiences at your pace, integrating multiple therapeutic techniques that promote healing and resilience.
Stress affects everyone differently, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Together, we can create a personalized plan that helps you move forward with greater clarity, strength, and peace.
Ready to take the next step?
Are you carrying more stress than feels manageable right now? You deserve a compassionate space to heal. Book a free 15-minute consultation call so we can talk about your needs and how I can best support you.
Sources:
1. Canadian Mental Health Association. (2016). Stress. https://cmha.ca/brochure/stress/
2. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (2025). Stress. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/stress
3. Government of Canada. (2018). Mental Health – Coping with Stress. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/lifestyles/your-health-mental-health-coping-stress-health-canada-2008.html
4. American Psychological Association (2025). Trauma. https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma
5. Harvard Health Publishing. (2024). Understanding the Stress Response. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response