Acute or short-term stress is what you experience when a demand is placed upon you at work or when you are up against a deadline. If you have a sudden problem with a customer, your stress level can go up, depending upon the reason for the beckoning. How bad your stress level becomes is related to the intensity of the stressor, as well as how long it will remain with you, and how you choose to cope with it.

The body is generally well equipped to deal with acute stress when it happens from time to time. However, if it happens on a regular basis, then it can affect you on a physical, mental and social level. Your health can pay the price. As well, your work performance will be affected in an adverse manner, and your relationships with loved ones and friends can develop problems.

If acute stress has become a fixture in your life, then you may find that your behavior, mood and thinking patterns have changed for the worse. If you notice any of these problems happening with frequency, then it is time to do something about it:

• You lose your temper often and get angry for no reason
• You have a very low tolerance for practically everything
• You feel irritable and frustrated frequently
• You are often confused and jumpy
• You are constantly tired and run down
• You have a difficult time concentrating on your work
• You envision negative scenarios and always think the worst
• You are constantly berating yourself for not doing better
• You worry constantly about things that have little significance
• You constantly doubt the decisions you make