Stress is physiological. So is resilience.

Stress is often described as a feeling. In reality it is a whole-body response: a shift in hormones, heart rate, breathing, digestion and attention designed to help us meet a challenge. In short bursts, it is useful. The difficulty arises when the challenge never quite ends.

When the response stays switched on

Sustained pressure can show up as lighter, more broken sleep; a mind that will not switch off; irritability; reduced appetite for exercise; and a sense that recovery never fully happens. These are signals worth taking seriously — not as weakness, but as information. Over time, they can also weigh on focus and mental clarity.

Resilience is not the absence of stress. It is the capacity to recover from it.

Trainable, not fixed

Resilience is partly a skill. Evidence-based psychological approaches, such as cognitive behavioural techniques, can change how we respond to pressure. Regular physical activity, protected sleep, slow breathing practices and genuine time away from work all support the body’s ability to return to baseline. Our Think Well pillar and Brain, Stress & Resilience program are built around this idea.

• Notice your early signals of overload
• Protect a consistent sleep window, especially during demanding periods
• Use short, practised recovery routines during the day
• Keep exercise in the week, even in reduced form
• Talk to a qualified professional when stress affects mood or functioning

If you are experiencing persistent low mood, anxiety or thoughts of self-harm, please contact your doctor or local emergency services straight away.