Do you ever feel like you’re drowning under the pressure of everything, and then someone says, “But stress can be good for you!”
Key word is can be. When stress is healthily managed, it can be beneficial. It’s what makes college students study for the exam, or employees put in some overtime, so their project is even better. But when it’s unmanaged, as is frequent today, it can have wide negative implications that stretch far into the future.
Thriveworks Columbus, OH (Polaris) therapists and counselors can help you manage your stress while pursuing your goal. It’s a precious balance between pushing yourself to the point of success and pushing yourself to the point of breaking. You can be the master of your own stress, and never let it control your thoughts and emotions again.
Why Am I So Stressed?
Stress can make you throw up your arms and question why you’re feeling like this. Afterall, you might reason, it’s not like you’re on the brink of dying. So why do crowds make you nervous and your work schedule make you feel overwhelmed?
It is not because you’re weak! Your feelings are valid. There are so many bills to be paid, people to talk to, life transitions, and personal goals, no wonder unhealthy stress is so pervasive!
Our brains are even programed to be in danger. Back when our ancestors were at risk of dying, our brains kept us alive. But now, it hasn’t caught up with the times. Too often, it doesn’t recognize the difference between paying taxes and a lion attack.
When our bodies and mind seem to be working against us, what hope is there? A lot! Thriveworks has years of experience and training to fight stress and replace it with healthy coping mechanisms, and our convenient Polaris office is near Westerville, Worthington, and not to far from most all of Central Ohio
Unmanaged, unhealthy stress can look very different depending on the person. A few of the common symptoms include:
- Constantly avoiding confrontation (initiating the “flight” response)
- Angry outbursts or aggressive behavior (initiating the “fight” response)
- chronic headaches
- joint pain
- upset stomach
- easily triggered anger
- irritability
- panic attacks
- feeling overwhelmed
- trouble sleeping and/or nightmares
- memory loss
- impulsive behavior
You deserve to be free of the stress that haunts you. With a little practice, you can reach your goals and stay healthy. Thriveworks Columbus, OH (Polaris) is excited to start that journey of growth with you.
What Does Stress Management Counseling Look Like?
We can never take stress completely out of the equation. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It just means stress management also needs to become a constant in your life. Thriveworks Columbus, OH (Polaris) has created a judgment free space where we can learn and practice the coping mechanisms that will best serve our life.
We want to practice growing a new lifestyle, one where you control stress. Every day will bring new challenges and with new challenges, new stress. To conquer it, you have to be center point of change. There will be times that changing your environment is definitely important. But even then, we have to change out mindsets for the healthy changes to stick.
Our Thriveworks Columbus, OH (Polaris) counselors and therapists have found some of the following to be helpful:
- Learn mindful and relaxation techniques for when you are in a stressful moment
- Proactively plan stress relievers
- Talk through any underlying problems that may be causing stress
- Practice healthy habits like getting enough sleep, exercise, and healthy nutrition
- Build a strong social support group
- Learn to identify stress before it gets to be overwhelming and ways to stop it from growing
- Pick out negative thoughts that may be driving stress, and learn to replace them
Thriveworks Columbus, OH (Polaris) strives to form a relationship with our clients and each session will be uniquely structured to address your goals and current situation. Stress is imminent, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and your life doesn’t have to suffer.
