Talking about stress in English: Stress-related vocabulary

Stress is a part of life that everyone experiences, whether it’s from school, work, or daily challenges. If you are an adult learner, you likely have to balance school, learning English, work, family, and your social life. This can be very stressful. For ESL students, learning how to talk about stress in English can help you express your feelings and understand others better. In this article, we’ll explore key vocabulary words like “stressed,” “anxiety,” and “cope” that describe stress and how to manage it. By learning these words, you can share your experiences and find ways to feel calmer.

Key vocabulary: stress and stress-related terms

Here’s a list of common words and phrases related to stress (definition).

1. Stress (n) – A feeling of worry or pressure caused by problems or demands.
   • Example: Work and exams can cause a lot of stress.
2. Stressed (adj) – Feeling nervous or worried because of too much pressure.
   • Example: She feels stressed because she has too much homework.
3. Stressful (adj) – Something that causes stress.
   • Example: Moving to a new city can be very stressful.
4. Relax (v) – To rest or do something to feel calm.
   • Example: I relax by listening to music after a long day.
5. Anxiety (n) – A strong feeling of worry or nervousness.
   • Example: He feels anxiety before giving a presentation.
6. Pressure (n) – A feeling of being pushed to do something, often too much.
   • Example: There’s a lot of pressure to finish this project on time.
7. Overwhelmed (adj) – Feeling like you have too much to handle.
   • Example: She was overwhelmed with schoolwork and chores.
8. Cope (v) – To deal with or manage a difficult situation.
   • Example: He copes with stress by exercising every morning.
9. Burnout (n) – A state of being very tired or exhausted from too much stress.
   • Example: Working long hours without breaks can lead to burnout.
10. Calm (adj/v) – Feeling peaceful or not stressed; to make someone feel peaceful.
    • Example: Yoga helps me stay calm during stressful times.

Five more advanced phrases

1. Under duress (phrase) – Experiencing pressure or stress, often due to being forced to do something.
   • Example: She signed the contract under duress because her boss threatened to fire her.
2. Emotional toll (phrase) – The negative impact on someone’s feelings or mental health caused by a difficult situation.
   • Example: Caring for a sick family member took a heavy emotional toll on her.
3. Frazzled (adj) – Extremely stressed or exhausted, often showing signs of being overwhelmed.
   • Example: After working 12-hour shifts all week, he felt completely frazzled.
4. Blow off steam (phrase) – To release stress or anger by doing something energetic or relaxing.
   • Example: After a stressful day, she blows off steam by going for a long run.
5. Mental fatigue (phrase) – A state of mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress or overthinking.
   • Example: Studying for exams without breaks led to mental fatigue, so he couldn’t focus.

Example conversations

We experience stress in many parts of our lives, from school, the workplace, and life in general. Here are some general conversations to help you see how we might put these words into use.

Conversation 1: School stress

Characters: Maria (student), Ahmed (friend)
Setting: At school, during a break.

Maria: Ahmed, I’m so stressed about our final exams! I feel overwhelmed with all the studying.
Ahmed: I know, exams are really stressful. Have you been able to relax at all?
Maria: Not really. I’m so frazzled from staying up late to study. It’s taking an emotional toll on me.
Ahmed: Maybe you should blow off steam. Why don’t we go for a walk after school to cope with the pressure?
Maria: That’s a good idea! A walk might help me feel calm. Thanks for listening, Ahmed.
Ahmed: No problem! I feel anxiety before exams, too, but talking helps.

Conversation 2: Workplace stress

Characters: Sarah (employee), John (colleague)
Setting: In the office, during lunch.

Sarah: John, this project deadline is so stressful. I’m working under duress because the boss wants it done by tomorrow!
John: That sounds tough. Are you feeling stressed?
Sarah: Yes, I’m totally frazzled. The pressure is giving me mental fatigue.
John: You need to cope better. Do you do anything to relax?
Sarah: Sometimes I blow off steam by watching movies after work. It helps me feel calm.
John: Good idea. Maybe take a break to avoid burnout. Let’s grab coffee later to chat more.
Sarah: Sure, that might help lighten the emotional toll of this week!

Conversation 3: Personal life stress

Characters: Lisa (friend), Tom (friend)
Setting: At a café, catching up.

Lisa: Tom, I’ve been so stressed lately. Moving to a new apartment is taking an emotional toll on me.
Tom: I bet that’s stressful. Are you feeling overwhelmed?
Lisa: Yes, I’m frazzled from packing and organizing everything. I haven’t had time to relax.
Tom: You should find a way to blow off steam. How do you usually cope with stress?
Lisa: I like yoga. It helps me stay calm and reduces my anxiety.
Tom: That’s great! I get mental fatigue from work, so I go hiking to feel better.
Lisa: Maybe I’ll try hiking too. Thanks for the idea, Tom!

Conversation 4: Stress with children

Characters: Emma (parent), David (friend)
Setting: At a park, watching their kids play.

Emma: David, I’m so stressed about dealing with the kids lately. Parenting is taking a huge emotional toll on me.
David: I understand. Raising kids can be really stressful. Are you feeling overwhelmed?
Emma: Yes, I’m totally frazzled! The kids’ schoolwork and tantrums give me mental fatigue.
David: That sounds tough. How do you cope with all the pressure?
Emma: I try to relax by reading a book after they go to bed. It helps me feel calm.
David: That’s a good idea. I blow off steam by playing soccer with my son. It reduces my anxiety.
Emma: Nice! Maybe I’ll try playing with the kids to avoid burnout. Thanks, David.
David: Anytime, Emma. Parenting is hard, but we’re not under duress all the time, right?

Conclusion

Understanding stress and its vocabulary is a powerful tool for ESL learners. Words like “relax,” “pressure,” and “burnout” help you describe your feelings and connect with others in English. By practicing these terms through speaking, writing, and real-life situations, you can express yourself clearly and even find new ways to cope with stress. Keep using these words in your daily conversations, and you’ll feel more confident talking about this common part of life. Stay calm and keep learning!

For further learning, see the article about “Workplace stress“.

If you are dealing with stress, here are some online resources:

• https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/living-with/index.html
• https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/tips-to-reduce-stress/
• https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relievers/art-20047257