Stress-exacerbating

Describing a factor, situation, or condition that worsens or intensifies existing stress, leading to increased psychological or physiological strain. These elements can amplify feelings of anxiety, pressure, or overwhelm, making it more difficult for an individual to cope effectively. They often involve increased demands, threats, or challenges that surpass a person's perceived ability to manage, leading to heightened levels of cortisol and adrenaline and potentially impacting physical and mental well-being. The focus is specifically on elements which *make* stress *worse*. This differs from merely *being* stressful or *causing* stress, and focuses on the heightening of an already existing condition.

Stress-exacerbating meaning with examples

• Her demanding workload and tight deadlines were already a source of stress. When the company implemented new, inefficient software, it became a stress-exacerbating factor, adding to her workload and fueling feelings of frustration and burnout. This caused her to have constant headaches and sleepless nights, making her anxiety worse.
• Living with a chronic illness is inherently stressful. The additional burden of financial instability due to medical bills and the inability to work created a stress-exacerbating environment, hindering her ability to follow a strict treatment regime or focus on any other aspect of her life with a calm mind and the ability to self-soothe.
• The ongoing conflict in the family, already causing tension, was further stress-exacerbating when the family members were forced to live in a small house. With everyone's anxiety and exhaustion growing, small disagreements escalated into explosive arguments that lasted for hours.
• For someone struggling with the grief of a recent loss, the pressure of preparing for the holiday season, with its focus on family and celebration, proved to be stress-exacerbating, intensifying the feeling of loneliness and prompting an early descent into depression and despair.