Are your stress levels REALLY normal? Experts warn we need to seek help earlier

The way we chat about how stressful our lives/jobs/children are, you'd be forgiven for thinking that stress is a totally normal condition we all experience constantly.

But though we need to feel stressed occasionally to get through tough times, it's really not a normal state to be for extended periods, and experts are worried many of us are ignoring our symptoms until they become critical.

It's emerged this week that millions of us are living with high levels of stress on a semi-permanent basis. A whopping 44 per cent of people surveyed by Bupa admitted they are currently going through a period of stress - and six million of those have been feeling this way for over a year.

Money worries topped the list of biggest stress-causers, followed by work and to a lesser extent family life or living with a chronic illness.

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The most alarming finding was that 61 per cent of those who felt stressed said they wouldn't seek help until they were 'unable to cope with daily life' - a dangerously high trigger point.

Dr Martin Baggaley, medical director at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said:
“This research shows stress is extremely common in this country. While low-level and irregular bouts of stress can be beneficial and manageable, it’s concerning to see that so many people are experiencing sustained and relentless stress."

It's not just a case of being 'tough' and coping, stress causes physical as well as mental symptoms and can lead to serious health conditions. Stress can cause panic attacks, heart problems, digestive complaints and even increase the likelihood of some cancers and obesity, as well as causing insomnia with all its associated health problems.

If you're stressed, you don't just have to put up with it. The first thing to try is self help. This can include everything from physical activity (proven to help beat stress and improve mood), to breathing and visualisation techniques and even meditation.

Try these five steps to reduce stress, find out how meditation can help and make sure you don't burn out with these expert tips.

But if these aren't having an effect, and you're still feeling anxious, speak to your GP. Stress is a genuine condition and can be treated effectively. And like most things, treatment works best when you recognise the symptoms early.