Overcoming Stress
We all get stressed at some point, and it might be momentarily. However, stress can become overwhelming to the point that it impacts various aspects of our life. Stress can affect everything from your productivity to your ability to enjoy life. Fortunately, it is treatable.
It’s important to recognise stress when it’s happening. It can manifest both internally and externally. When we speak of stress internally, it might present itself in terms of feelings or thoughts. It might be obvious, and it might not. Externally, stress might start to affect your actions and/or interactions with other people. ‘Lashing out’ might be an obvious example, but different people are affected in different ways. Some internalise it and keep it bottled up, and that’s not healthy either. It’s a problem that needs to be dealt with calmly and safely.
Stress can have adverse effects on your well-being physically, leading to blood pressure and other heart conditions. Some people also try to cope with stress by less-than-healthy means, such as alcohol abuse, overeating or resorting to drugs. All of these can make the problem go from bad to worse, cruelly only leaving you even more stressed than you were to begin with. It’s a vicious cycle.
What are the symptoms of stress?
The symptoms of stress will vary from person to person, but here are some of the more common ones:
- Not having much energy
- Headaches
- Feeling tired the whole time
- Poor concentration
- Overeating or undereating
- Racing thoughts
- Procrastinating
- Feeling agitated
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feeling powerless
- Feeling frustrated
- Teeth grinding
- Chest pains
- Feeling burnt out
This list is not exhaustive.
What causes Stress?
There are many different causes, and it’s best to work with your therapist to get to the root of your stress.
Stress is typically triggered by events in your life that involve:
- being under a lot of pressure
- worrying about something
- not having much or any control over the outcome of a situation
- having responsibilities that you find overwhelming
- not having enough or having too much work
- times of uncertainty
There could be one big thing causing you stress, and yet stress can also be caused by a buildup of small stresses. This may make it more difficult for you to identify what is causing your stress or to explain it to others.
How can I combat Stress?
As with any problem, identifying its source is the key. If you feel that stress is becoming an opposing force in your life and wellbeing, it is well worth seeking counselling. The therapist will help you identify the cause of your stress, after which they will help you manage it and reduce the impact it is having on your life.
The therapist will help you recognise how the stress manifests itself and take corrective steps as necessary. They may focus on thought patterns and your responses to them. They will help you develop positive responses to these thoughts, so you don’t get wrapped up in the same stress-laden cycle of old. They will also help you work on ways to combat external manifestations of stress.
If any of these issues look like something you’re currently experiencing, don’t hesitate to get in touch to set up an appointment.