Veterinary Nursing Journal

ISSN: 1741-5349 (Print) 2045-0648 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tvnj20

Stress and anxiety

Jo Johnston

To cite this article: Jo Johnston (2020) Stress and anxiety, Veterinary Nursing Journal, 35:8,
217-217, DOI: 10.1080/17415349.2020.1850798

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/17415349.2020.1850798

Published online: 25 Nov 2020.

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 Student Section

Stress and anxiety

Jo Johnston
Stress is the degree to which you feel over- Being resilient helps us to adapt in the face
whelmed or unable to cope as a result of of difficulties. This involves lifestyle changes
pressure. It is a response to a specific exter- and looking after our physical health, hav-
nal stressor(s) and is generally a temporary ing a break and building a support network.
experience. Lifestyle changes and having
coping strategies can reduce stress. It can help to identify the cause(es) of stress,
this can help to take control of the situation.
Anxiety has no identifiable cause and is Doing nothing can make problems worse.
considered to be a mental health issue and
Jo Johnston usually requires more than lifestyle changes
to treat.
The NHS has a list of
I have been working in Human Resources
for more than twenty years and I am
‘stress busters’
Some pressure can be motivating and ener- Exercise. This lowers the body’s stress hor-
now part of the team that (amongst
gising (we get a ‘buzz’) but if the pressure mones and releases endorphins that improve
other things) provides advice to mem-
is excessive, then stress can result. Stress mood, can help sleep quality, help to feel
bers of the BVNA. I am qualified with the
at work has implications for the workplace more confident and improve mental
CIPD and have experience in a range of
as well as the individual, it contributes to wellbeing.
employment settings. Most of all I love
absence, accidents, turnover and poor
the opportunity my job brings to meet
performance. • Try to take some control, feeling a
people in many different walks of life
loss of control can contribute to
and work. When I am not working, I love
Stress can both cause problems and be the stress
being out on Dartmoor with my dogs or
result of them. To help manage stress it can • Connect with people
in my garden and if the weather is bad,
help to manage external stressors and try • Avoid unhealthy habits – smoking,
I can be found in front of the television
to become more emotionally resilient to be alcohol and caffeine. They will not
watching some good Nordic Noir.
able to cope with tough situations. People’s help and may bring new problems
Email: [email protected]
ability to cope with stress varies. • Have some ‘me time’ for socialising,
relaxation or exercise
Whilst stress isn’t a mental health condition, • Challenge yourself to learn some-
it is closely linked to mental health, stress thing new
can cause mental health problems, perhaps • Help other people
anxiety or depression and make existing • Work smarter not harder – prioritise
problems worse. tasks and manage your time
• Try to be positive
When someone is stressed or anxious • Accept some things cannot be changed.
their bodies release hormones called cor-
tisol and adrenaline (the flight or fight If you are struggling to cope with anxiety
response). These hormones can have or panic, you should speak to your GP. Some
physical, psychological, and behavioural types of anxiety disorder include
effects. Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic
Disorder, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive
There might be one big thing causing some- Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress
one’s stress, but stress can also be caused by a Disorder. There are therapies and medica-
build-up of small pressures. Causes of stress tion that can help. Talking therapies include
can be physical, environmental, emotional, CBT, counselling and psychological thera-
acute life events or chronic. This might pies that your GP might consider helpful for
make it harder to identify what is making you. There are conditions that are related to
someone feel stressed, or to explain it to anxiety that might require specific
other people. treatment.

DOI: 10.1080/17415349.2020.1850798

© 2020 British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 35 • August 2020 • Page 217