What is the equation for the potential energy stored in a spring when it is stretched or compressed?

if you stretch a spring with k = 2, with a force of 4N, the extension will be 2m. the work done by us here is 4x2=8J. in other words, the energy transferred to the spring is 8J. but, the stored energy in the spring equals 1/2x2x2^2=4J (which is half of the work done by us in stretching it).

increase masses, decrease separation