Stress Management Counselling
The purpose of Stress Management Counselling and Psychotherapy is not to eliminate stress from your life. This is impossible. Stress is a natural response to change, and change is inevitable. Having a certain amount of stress in your life is normal. However, cumulative stress that results from excessive exposure to hassles, responsibilities, daily pressures, concerns, worries, and anger threatens our health and happiness.
You may have never been taught how to take care of yourself in a positive and caring way. The skills of relaxation and focused concentration aren’t often taught in higher education curriculums, but they are vital to learning and being healthy and happy now and in your future.
The first step in dealing with stress is becoming aware of what stresses you and how your body reacts to it. Many of us have become experts at desensitizing ourselves or ignoring our bodies’ signals. The question you have to ask yourself is this: Am I ready to take responsibility for paying attention to my stressors and how stress manifests in my life? Taking this first step will enhance your quality of life right now.
What Causes Stress ?
Stress can be caused by any type of physical or emotional stimulus or situation. Often, people speak of different types of stress such as work stress, relationship stress, or parenting stress. Some kinds of stress may be related to specific stages of life such as aging, pregnancy, the teen years, or the menopausal transition. Children can also be affected by stress.
Despite its source, any type of stress can become unmanageable or overwhelming. The following are risk factors for uncontrollable stress:
Social and financial problems
Physical or mental illness
Lack of social support networks
Family history of stress or family discord
SYMPTOMS OF STRESS
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
INTELLECTUAL SYMPTOMS
SOCIAL SYMPTOMS
Possible Treatments and Therapy to Heal and Deal with Your Stress
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ( CBT )
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Evidence-based stress management techniques
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)
Breathwork
Action Orientated Approaches: used to take action to change a stressful situation
Emotion-oriented approaches: used to change the way we perceive a stressful situation
Acceptance-oriented approaches: used for dealing with stressful situations you can’t control
Affirmations and imagery
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Cognitive Restructuring
Talk it out
Alternative Therapies –In addition to traditional methods of stress therapy, there are many activities that an individual can do to alleviate their stress. Activities like exercise, yoga, meditation, and social support are all useful tools to try if a person is faced with intense feelings of stress or pressure.
Benefits of Counselling for Stress Management are the following :
Active lifestyle
Emotional intelligence including empathy
Meditation or Mindfulness
Use of relaxation techniques
Meaningful work or volunteer time
Optimism, happiness
Social support
Connectedness
Spiritual expression
Environmental engagement (e.g., green practices)
Time outdoors
Consumption of healthy foods in moderation
Quiet time alone
Restful, restorative sleep
Positive self-talk
Intellectual engagement
Mindfulness
Sense of humor
Enjoyable physical activity
Responsible self-management of time and finances
Responsible self-management of alcohol and other substances and sexual activity
Healthy weight management