Stress is that internal urging to work harder and faster. It gets us up earlier, pushes us harder, and helps us achieve goals.
That is, healthy stress lets us do those things. Uncontrolled stress can do the opposite. It can break down the body and mind, resulting in sleepless nights, an unhappy life, and even mental illness.
We all know that feeling where one more thing will cause a breakdown. But what if that feeling was so constant, you’ve just gotten used to it? Stress is so prominent in today’s society that it can take a big wakeup call to realize how stressed you’ve been. Perhaps it’s your unhealthy coping mechanisms that you’ve had enough of, or a loved one pointing out your health. Whatever your reason for deciding to be less stressed, Thriveworks Woodstock Stress Management counseling is here to help you stay in the sweet spot of pushing yourself to be better, but not being as stressed.
What Are Symptoms of Unmanaged Stress?
Your brain is truly remarkable. It also hasn’t caught up with present times. When you’re walking down a crowded grocery aisle, your brain thinks you’re in immediate danger of not finding enough food. The annoying coworker is life-threatening competition to a brain that is still hard-wired for danger, even when no actual danger exists.
To us though, it still feels like stress, and the destructive side effects of it still hurt. Thriveworks Woodstock counselors understand that sometime brains work in weird ways. That doesn’t make your financial situation, relationships, or life changes any less stressful!
When stress really gets out of control, it can feel like everything is coming at you at once and holding you back from coping healthily. Thriveworks Woodstock Stress Management counselors is here to help you find a way out. We have walked alongside countless others to search for the roots of stress and find the best, healthy coping mechanisms for them.
The first step in healing is recognizing there’s a problem. Stress may be unmanaged in your life if some of these symptoms are present:
- 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
Stress isn’t in control of you. With the right support, you can have peace and happiness again.
What Does Stress Management Counseling Look Like?
Healthy stress management is a life-long journey. As you change, so will how you handle stress. But what you gain from a Thriveworks Stress Management Woodstock session can be used for the rest of your life. Even when we aren’t there to cheer you on, you will have the knowledge and strength to handle whatever stress throws at you!
One of the key components of stress management is learning how to shift your thoughts and actions, not your circumstances. Changing your circumstances is absolutely something that may have to be done, but when it is your only coping mechanisms, it can be dangerous. Stress will always find you, so you have to learn how to beat it where you’re at.
A few examples of how we can do this include:
- Learn how to handle a stressful moment through mindful and relaxation techniques
- Proactively plan stress relivers throughout your week
- Work through underlying problems that are aggravating your stress levels
- Practice healthy habits like getting enough sleep, exercise, and healthy nutrition
- Build a strong social support group
- Practice identifying stress before it gets too overwhelming
- Learn techniques to stop stress from growing
- Learn to replace the negative thoughts that may be driving stress
There are as many ways to combat stress as there are to feel stress- a lot! Thriveworks Woodstock chooses to focus on your uniqueness as an individual, and to explore what you bring to the Stress Management Counseling session. You have what it takes to beat your stress and regain control of your life.
