How self-esteem and stress are linked.

As April is Stress Awareness Month, I've written an article for the Counselling Directory:

Let’s talk about something many of us feel daily but rarely stop to truly understand: stress.
Not all stress is bad—some forms (like eustress or hormetic stress) can help us grow and thrive. But when stress becomes chronic and toxic, it can quietly chip away at our well-being and confidence.
👉 It affects how we think, how we show up at work, and how we feel about ourselves.
👉 It can feed the inner critic—the voice that says "You're not good enough" or "Everyone else is coping better than you."
In my latest article, I explore:
✔️ The difference between good and bad stress
✔️ How stress impacts self-esteem and mental health
✔️ Why we’re more overwhelmed than ever in today’s world
✔️ Practical ways to break the cycle and start prioritising your needs with self-compassion, not guilt.
If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, this is for you.

Stuck in self-doubt? How chronic stress impacts your self-es... - Counselling Directory