Services
Managing Stress
What is it?
Stress and anxiety is now very much part of our daily lives. Stress can be very positive and work to our advantage but when severe and long lasting it can have a profoundly negative impact on many aspects of our lives.
 | Stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the demands placed on you and your own resources. It is linked to a number of physical and emotional problems and it impinges on how you function in all aspects of your life, work, at home and in your relationships. |
The ironic thing is that when we are stressed we often stop doing the things that could actually help us i.e. stop exercising, avoiding friends/family etc.
What are the symptoms?
There are physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural symptoms of stress. They could include some of the following:
Cognitive:-
- Memory problems
- Inability to concentrate
- Poor judgment
- Seeing only the negative
- Anxious or racing thoughts
- Constant worrying
Emotional:-
- Moodiness
- Irritability or short temper
- Agitation, inability to relax
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Sense of loneliness and isolation
- Depression or general unhappiness
Physical:-
- Aches and pains
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Nausea, dizziness
- Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
- Loss of sex drive
- Frequent colds
Behavioural:-
- Eating more or less
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Isolating yourself from others
- Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
- Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
- Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)
What helps?
Taking a holistic approach again can be an effective method of helping you to cope with your stress levels. This involves tending to the four parts of you i.e. your physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual wellbeing. For example this could involve managing your thoughts, learning how to manage your performance stress, relaxation, mediation, building your support structure around you, building your relationships, delegation, time-management to name but a few techniques. The approach will be tailored to you and your needs.