Close up of two people with medium skin holding hands, indicating that one person is offering support to the other. Gros plan sur deux personnes à la peau moyennement foncée se tenant la main, suggérant que l’une apporte son soutien à l’autre.Stress can come from the good and bad things that happen to you. You may feel stress due to exciting situations like travelling or getting married, or you might experience it in response to a difficult job or family troubles. Problems with physical health, like living with arthritis, can also cause you to feel stress. You may notice that your arthritis symptoms worsen when you are experiencing a level of stress that feels beyond your capacity to effectively cope.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, “stress is the body’s response to a real or perceived threat. That response is meant to get people ready for some kind of action to get them out of danger” – also known as a fight-or-flight response.

Sometimes stress can be a helpful challenge, especially if it is short-lived, and many people are able to deal with a certain level of stress without any lasting effects. However, when your stress becomes too much to deal with or continues for too long (sometimes called chronic or long-term stress), it can negatively affect your physical and mental health.

Tips for Managing Stress

There are many ways that you can deal with stress, and it is important to take action in the ways that work for you, as ignoring the effects of stress can make mental and physical health challenges worse. The tips below are common strategies that are helpful for many people. Different strategies may work better for different types of stress, so it may be helpful to try out a few to find what works best for you.

What might be causing your stress? Try listing out your sources of stress and sorting them into three categories: (1) things with a practical solution you can implement with or without support, (2) things that will get better with time, and (3) things that are out of your control. Once you have your sorted list, make a plan to address the things you have some control over, making sure to break it down into small steps and including names of people you can reach out to for help. This plan might involve prioritizing essential commitments and saying no to others.

Simply talking about your stress with someone can help relieve some of the pain associated with it, and the person you’re talking to might have helpful advice to share. If you prefer not to receive advice, you can always let them know that you just need them to listen. Try reaching out to friends, family, or other trusted members of your community. You can also seek support from a mental health professional.

When you’re feeling a lot of stress, you might find that you forget about your habits and routines that support your wellbeing. Eating a nutritious diet and drinking enough water can improve your mood and increase your energy levels. Physical activity can be a great way to reduce stress; even a little bit of activity can make a difference. Getting enough sleep can help you feel more able to deal with stressful situations. Relaxation exercises can help reduce stress, such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation. Engaging in your hobbies is also a great way to give your mind a break – try listening to your favourite music, reading a book, or any other activity that makes you happy.

Contributors

This mental health resource was developed and last reviewed in March 2026 with expert advice from:
Dr. Joshua A. Rash, PhD, RPsych (NL), R.D.Psych. (SK)
Memorial University of Newfoundland; University of Saskatchewan
Marg Smit-Vandezande, MSW, RSW
Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program, Arthritis Society Canada
Nikolas Harris, MSW, RSW
Senior Manager, Mission, Arthritis Society Canada

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