Stress Management Counselling
Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed and anxious?
Are you often agitated, frustrated, or quick to anger? Do you currently experience a low sense of self confidence?
It's important to recognize the warning signs of stress and take steps to address it before it begins to impact your overall well-being. Taking care of your physical health, finding ways to effectively manage and reduce stress, and seeking support from loved ones or a professional can help bring balance back into your life. Lifestyle changes such as incorporating exercise, relaxation techniques, and maintaining a healthy diet can also have a positive impact on managing stress levels.
Don't wait until it's too late - start taking steps towards reducing stress today for a healthier and happier tomorrow.
Metanoia Mental Health offers face-to-face or online counselling for stress management therapy to all residents in Alberta, Canada.
How can stress counselling help you?
Counselling can be a valuable tool in managing stress and its related symptoms. In counselling sessions, individuals have the opportunity to explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe and non-judgemental environment. Here are a few things stress counselling can help you with:
Learn to check in with your personal needs, so that you can be more mindfully aware of how to address your emotions
Develop skills to regulate your emotions and thoughts that overwhelm you
Establish self care habits that will lessen the impact of stress in your life - such as exercise, meditation, healthy eating, and pursuing hobbies and interests
Identify core beliefs that drive patterns of behaviour such as perfectionism
Additionally, building a supportive therapeutic relationship with a counsellor can improve an individual's sense of safety and connectedness, both of which are important for managing stress. Overall, counselling can be a valuable resource for managing stress and promoting overall psychological well-being.
Common life stressors that can causes stress
Stress is a natural response to certain situations, but it can become overwhelming and detrimental to one's health if not properly managed.
Some common everyday stressors include work deadlines, relationship issues, and financial concerns. Health problems or the loss of a loved one can also be hugely stressful events. Transitioning to a new job or moving to a new place can also trigger stress and anxiety.
It is important to remember that feeling stressed is a normal part of life and everyone experiences it at some point. However, consistently high levels of stress can lead to serious health issues, so it is important to find healthy ways to cope with and manage stress. Exercise, therapy, maintaining a healthy diet, and prioritizing self-care are all effective methods for reducing stress and promoting overall wellness.
Stress management consulting helps individuals improve both their mental and physical health by reducing strain on the body and promoting overall wellness.
Healthy Stress vs Unhealthy Stress
When it comes to stress, not all forms are created equal.
Healthy stress, also known as "eustress," can actually serve as a motivator and boost performance in certain situations. On the other hand, unhealthy or "distress" is negative and harmful to our physical and mental health.
How can we tell the difference? One key factor is control - with healthy stress, individuals feel like they have some level of control over the situation that is causing the stress. In contrast, distress often results from a lack of control or feeling overwhelmed by external factors. Inadequate coping mechanisms and prolonged stress can lead to burnout and serious health consequences. It's important to take steps to manage both healthy and unhealthy stress in order to maintain physical and emotional wellbeing.
Feeling challenged, but not overwhelmed. This type of stress can help motivate us to meet goals and perform at our best.
The ability to bounce back quickly from stressful situations. This resilience allows us to learn and grow from challenging experiences rather than being weighed down by them.
Experiencing a sense of control over stressful situations can be a sign that we are managing stress in a healthy manner.
While it's important to address any chronic or excessive stress, experiencing these signs of healthy stress can indicate that we are able to effectively handle the daily stresses of life.
Signs of healthy stress:
Difficulty sleeping or constant fatigue
Constant worrying or racing thoughts
Irritability and headaches
Digestive issues or loss of appetite
Unexplained aches and pains.
Turning to destructive coping mechanisms like drug or alcohol use
If you notice any of these warning signs, seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor can provide support in managing and reducing stress levels.
Signs of unhealthy stress:
Treatments for stress management
Finding ways to manage stress is crucial for maintaining overall physical and mental health. While there are many options available, some of the most effective treatments include exercise, meditation, and therapy.
Regular exercise releases endorphins, improving mood and reducing stress levels. Mindfulness meditation helps to quiet racing thoughts and improve focus, while therapy can provide support as well as practical coping skills for handling difficult situations. It's important to find what works best for you, as different methods may have varying levels of effectiveness for each individual.
By exploring various stress management treatments, you can create a personalized plan to help improve your daily well-being.
Find a therapist
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Brianne Erichsen
BSW, MC, RCSW
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Deborah Flowers
CCC, M.C., B.ED