How to comfort a girl when she's stressed?

Look at how she words it. A line like "don't even know why I'm telling you this" is a sign she's a little embarrassed to be vulnerable, so she's testing whether you'll make it weird. Short, flat messages after a long day often mean she's drained, not that she's pushing you away. A long, detailed message usually means she wants to be heard in full, so you can ask a question about the part that sounds hardest.

Notice whether she mentions a specific person or event. If she names her boss, a friend, or a deadline, she's giving you the thread to pull on. If she just says she's stressed with no detail, she probably doesn't want to explain, and you should keep it light and warm without digging. Her energy level, the time of day, and whether she's asked you anything back all tell you how much room she has right now.

The first kind is the acknowledgment. It reflects the feeling back in your own words and asks nothing of her. Its job is to show she landed somewhere safe. A draft is this kind when it mentions the feeling and stops. It should leave out advice, jokes, and any question that asks her to explain more.

The second kind is the gentle opening. It names the feeling and asks one open question about what happened or what she needs now. Its job is to let her keep talking if she wants. You can tell a draft is this kind by the single question at the end. It should leave out stacked questions and anything that sounds like an interview.

The third kind is the offer of company. It says you're around and makes a small, low-pressure gesture, like suggesting she take a break or that you can talk later. Its job is to give her a way to rest without feeling she owes you a reply. It should leave out plans that demand a yes, and it should not come across as a reason for her to pour out more.

Stressed messages often arrive late, and that's when a reply can go wrong. If it's late and she's venting, a short warm reply is enough. You don't need to write three paragraphs at midnight. Leaving the conversation on a soft, calm note is more useful than sending a long thought that she has to read tired.

If she doesn't answer, leave it alone for at least a day unless she told you a specific time she'd be free. One check-in later, sent with no pressure, is fine, like asking how the rest of her week went. If she still doesn't reply, let it go and don't send a third text. If she's shown no interest in talking for a while, stop there. Your comfort doesn't need a response to have done its job.