Stress Management

What Can I do About My Stress?

First, let’s talk about what stress is. Stress is the body’s response to perceived threats. Stress is the reaction we have to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed on us. Stress arises when we worry that we can’t cope – it is our “perception” of an inability to cope versus an actual threat of harm. Stress is the “wear and tear” our minds and bodies experience as we attempt to cope with our continually changing environment. Another way of thinking about it is that stress occurs when pressure is greater than resources.

Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in our bodies. It can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, and speed up the aging process. Long-term stress can even rewire the brain, leaving us more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

The most common sources of stress include:

• Money
• Work (on 24/7/365) – jobs that never end/no clear boundaries
• Economy
• Family responsibilities
• Relationships
• Health problems affecting my family
• Personal health problems

What Is Stress Management?

Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems.

Stress management involves changing the stressful situation when you can, changing your reaction when you can’t change the situation, taking care of yourself, and making time for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.

Stress is a fact of life for most people. You may not be able to get rid of stress, but there are ways to lower it. If you are experiencing stress which feels out of control and you would like to lower your stress level by learning how to manage it more effectively, please contact me today.