Stress , and Counseling for Stress
Stress is your body’s response to threat or demand. A lot of physical changes occur when an individual is stressed. These include a racing heart rate, tightening of muscles, shortness of breath and increased blood pressure. In reasonable amounts, stress helps to enhance performance, however unreasonable stress is unhealthy for your physical and mental health.
Types of Stress
Acute stress
Acute stress comes from specific situations or events that are novel and unpredictable in nature. Acute stress can be thrilling and exciting in small amounts, but too much of it is exhausting.
Acute stress is associated with emotional distress, muscular issues like back pain and physical changes like cold feet, sweaty palms etc.
Episodic acute stress
Individuals with episodic acute stess are always in hurry, they take on too many things, they have a lot of self-inflicted demands. They can be categorized into two types, individuals who have excessive competitive drives, are impatient and have an irrational sense of time ugency and others who are worry warts, who see problem in every corner and over exeggerate the negative consequences.
Chronic stress
Chronic stress is destructive, it impairs your physical and mental well being. Chronic stress occurs in those individuals who see no solution to there problems, who feel miserable in life situations, these indivuduals also have unrelenting demands. Individuals who have chronic stress distort the reality and have a negative view of the world.
Symptoms of Stress
Cognitive symptoms
- Memory issues
- Decreased ability to concentrate
- Poor judgement ability
- Looking only at the negative side
- Rapid and intrusive thoughts
- Intense and excessive worry
Emotional symptoms
- Feeling depressed
- Restlessness and anger outburts
- Mood swings
- Feeling lonely and isolated
- Other emotional concerns
Physical symptoms
- Intense aches
- Constipation
- Feeling nauseated
- Chest discomfort, increased heart rate
- Decreased sex drive
- Frequent colds
Behavioral symptoms
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Sleeping excessively or decreased sleep
- Avoidance
- Procrastinating important tasks
- Indulging in alcohol, drugs, smoking behavior
How does counseling help deal with stress?
Stress can be overwhelming, and it has its repercussions to all other aspects on one’s life as well. Your work, relationships, peace of mind, ability to think rationally, all these areas may get warped due to Stress. Our Counselors will work with you to help you identify the stressors and teach you various behavioral and emotional Stress Management Techniques so that you are better able to cope with the stress. These skills will equip you to manage your stress levels, resulting in a holistic change in your lifestyle and wellbeing.