Stress affects everyone differently, but not everyone expresses it in obvious ways.
Some people openly admit when they’re feeling overwhelmed, while others do everything they can to hide it, even from themselves. Instead of acknowledging how they’re feeling, they cover it up with overcompensating behaviours that make it seem like they’re fine. Sometimes, they may not even realise they’re doing it because it’s become so second nature to them. However, if someone struggles to cope with stress, here are some common ways they might try to mask it.
1. They act overly cheerful.
Some people handle stress by pretending everything is great. They joke more, seem extra upbeat, and act like nothing ever bothers them. To everyone around them, it may look like they have a naturally positive attitude, but in reality, this exaggerated cheerfulness can be a defence mechanism.
For them, being upbeat is a way to distract both themselves and other people from what’s really going on. They don’t want to bring people down or admit they’re struggling, so they hide it behind a smile. The problem is, ignoring stress doesn’t make it disappear. Eventually, the emotional exhaustion catches up with them.
2. They throw themselves into work.
Some people throw themselves into work as a way to avoid dealing with their emotions. They take on extra projects, work longer hours, or constantly find ways to stay busy. It might seem like ambition, but often, it’s just a way to distract themselves.
By keeping their schedule full, they don’t have time to think about what’s actually bothering them. The problem is, this kind of avoidance can quickly lead to burnout. No matter how busy they try to stay, the stress doesn’t go away; it just builds up until they can’t ignore it anymore.
3. They joke about everything.
Using humour as a coping mechanism is common for people who struggle to handle stress. Instead of admitting they’re overwhelmed, they make jokes about how exhausted they are or laugh about how much they have on their plate.
On the surface, it seems like they’re taking things in stride, but joking about stress doesn’t mean it’s not affecting them. It’s often a way to avoid showing vulnerability. Deep down, they may feel like if they admit they’re struggling, it will make their stress feel even more real.
4. They isolate themselves from pretty much everyone.
Some people cope with stress by withdrawing from other people. Instead of talking about their problems, they cancel plans, stop responding to messages, or avoid social situations altogether. To those around them, it may seem like they just need space, but in reality, they may be struggling to process their emotions.
They might feel like no one would understand what they’re going through or that opening up would make them seem weak. The problem is, isolation often makes stress worse. Without a support system, they may feel even more overwhelmed, leading to a cycle of avoidance and emotional shutdown.
5. They become more controlling.
When life feels chaotic, some people try to regain control in any way they can. They become overly focused on routines, obsess over details, or get frustrated when things don’t go exactly as planned. To them, maintaining control over small aspects of life feels like the only way to keep everything from falling apart.
It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating a sense of order when everything else feels unpredictable. However, this coping mechanism can backfire. The more they try to control everything, the more stressed they become when things inevitably don’t go as planned.
6. They over-explain everything.
People who struggle with stress often feel the need to justify themselves constantly. They over-explain decisions, apologize excessively, or try to convince other people (and themselves) that they have everything under control.
That habit is often rooted in a fear of disappointing people or being seen as incapable. They may feel like if they don’t explain their choices in detail, people will judge them or think they’re failing. But in reality, that constant justification is just another way stress manifests.
7. They become short-tempered.
When someone struggles to handle stress, they may not always seem anxious — they may just seem irritable. Stress has a way of making even small inconveniences feel frustrating, leading to sudden mood swings or snapping at loved ones.
They might not even realise they’re being short-tempered. Their mind is so preoccupied with stress that even minor things feel overwhelming. While their frustration is usually not directed at other people intentionally, it can still affect relationships if it goes unchecked.
8. They develop nervous habits.
Stress often shows up in physical ways before people even realise what’s happening. Some may fidget, bite their nails, tap their foot, or constantly check their phone as a way to release nervous energy. These small, repetitive actions serve as a distraction from the tension they’re feeling.
While these habits might seem harmless, they can be a sign that stress is building up. The more frequent they become, the more likely it is that the person is struggling to manage their emotions internally.
9. They try to take care of everyone else.
Instead of focusing on their own stress, some people channel their energy into taking care of other people. They check in on friends constantly, take on extra responsibilities, or go out of their way to make sure everyone else is okay.
It might look like selflessness, but sometimes, it’s a way of avoiding their own emotions. If they stay busy helping other people, they don’t have to confront what’s really bothering them. Of course, ignoring their own stress doesn’t make it disappear; it just leaves them feeling even more drained.
10. They avoid making decisions.
When someone is overwhelmed, even simple decisions can feel impossible. Instead of dealing with it, they may procrastinate, avoid committing to things, or rely on other people to make choices for them. What seems like indecisiveness is often just mental exhaustion.
It’s not that they don’t care, it’s that their mind is already overloaded. Making even one more decision feels like too much, so they put it off as long as possible. That avoidance can lead to even more stress when decisions pile up and become urgent.
11. They engage in impulsive behaviour.
Stress can lead some people to seek quick relief in ways that aren’t always healthy. They may go on impulsive shopping sprees, binge on junk food, drink excessively, or make big decisions without thinking them through. At the moment, these behaviours feel like an escape, but they don’t actually resolve anything. In the long run, they can create more problems, adding to the original stress instead of relieving it.
12. They convince themselves they’re fine.
The most common way people mask stress is by telling themselves they’re not stressed at all. They downplay their emotions, refuse to acknowledge when they’re overwhelmed, and insist they have everything under control. But ignoring stress doesn’t make it go away. It just builds up over time until it becomes impossible to ignore. Acknowledging stress isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s the first step toward handling it in a healthier way.
