Stress hides in plain sight

You might feel stressed without realising it. Familiar habits like impulse shopping, scrolling late at night, or avoiding friends could all be hidden stress responses keeping you stuck in the same cycle.

Bottling up emotions backfires

Saying "I'm fine" when you're not keeps your stress response active, affecting your heart rate and blood pressure. Naming your emotions without trying to fix them is the first step.

“A useful first step is simply to name the emotion without feeling pressure to change it or immediately understand where it has come from.”

Impulse shopping offers false relief

Buying things after a difficult day feels good temporarily but creates a cycle. The emotional boost fades quickly, and repeated spending adds financial pressure on top of existing stress.

“The next time you feel tempted to buy something non-essential, take a photo of it or write it down instead.”

Withdrawing from people signals trouble

When exhausted, even texting feels like another task. But regularly avoiding friends and family means you're missing out on co-regulation, where feeling supported by others calms your nervous system.

Comfort food becomes stress relief

Reaching for chocolate after a stressful day trains your brain to associate certain foods with emotional relief. Stress also makes sugary and fatty foods feel extra rewarding.

“When a craving appears during a stressful moment, set a ten-minute timer before getting a snack and use that time to practice meditative breathwork or taking a short walk.”

Constant busyness masks anxiety

Feeling guilty when you're not productive often means you're avoiding uncomfortable thoughts or worries. Staying busy becomes a way to escape difficult conversations or concerns.

Phone scrolling deepens stress

Doomscrolling provides temporary distraction but exposes you to more stress and prevents you from dealing with what's actually bothering you. Late-night scrolling also damages sleep.

“Setting app limits can introduce a clear stopping point, while charging your phone in another room reduces the likelihood of scrolling late into the evening.”

Ignoring exhaustion creates a cycle

Running on caffeine and pushing through tiredness without recovery makes everyday tasks harder and leaves even less time for rest. Exhaustion becomes normalised instead of recognised as a warning sign.

Notice when habits turn automatic

Occasional treats or scrolling aren't problems. What matters is whether these behaviours have become automatic, feel hard to control, or leave you feeling worse afterwards.

When to seek professional help

If stress regularly affects your sleep, relationships or daily life, speak to your GP or a qualified mental health professional. Elizabeth Walker is a cognitive behavioural coach with over 20 years of experience.