YOUR 7 STRESS ZONES IDENTIFIED

Anxiety escalates in stages. Here's how to take action before you reach burnout

If we believe the classic song, Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year”. (Apologies for that earworm.) But for some of us, it’s also a big old stress-fest.

Apparently, as our anxiety levels increase we find ourselves moving through seven core stress zones. They’ve been identified by experts at independent mental health care provider the Priory Group. And the good news is, once you’re aware which zone you’re in, you can make all the right moves to cope.

Craig Stevens, UKCP Psychotherapist explains, “It’s important to identify different levels of stress and the negative, or sometimes positive, effects that can have on our wellbeing. Spotting the early signs can help us navigate stress more effectively.”

Craig talks us through each stage and reveals why the “C zone” is where you really want to be...

1. DRONE ZONE

“This is the zone where you experience no stress at all. That may seem like a desirable state, but with nothing to challenge you it’s easy to become bored, sluggish and uncommitted to your work and everyday responsibilities.”

Take action: “If you notice you’re getting agitated during times of less stimulation, I’d recommend taking actions that push you out of your comfort zone. It could be as simple as a new hobby, new responsibilities at work or anything else that takes you into the unknown. It’s all about building resilience and training your mind to overcome stressful situations in a controlled environment. That way it becomes easier when you’re pushed unwillingly out of your comfort zone in everyday life.”

2. C ZONE