Areas of Specialization - Adults

Stress Management and Healthy Living

Stress is a complex process that reflects how people react physically, behaviorally, mentally, and emotionally to the various conditions, changes and demands of life. Stress is an unavoidable part of life that can be good or bad. People routinely experience both types of stress as they move through life transitions such as being promoted at work, getting married, having a baby, and losing a parent. Individuals experience stress differently since what produces stress for one person may result in minimal or no stress for someone else. These differences exist because a large component of stress is a matter of an individual's perception, in other words, how one views a situation determines how much stress results.

The physical signs of stress include headaches, nausea or diarrhea, muscle tension and backaches, rapid heart rate and breathing, and sweating. Individual may also experience signs of stress affecting their thinking, behavior and mood. These include being irritable and intolerance of minor frustrations, quickly losing one's temper, frequently feeling on edge or exhausted, having difficulty concentrating, excessive worrying about insignificant matters, and repeated doubting of one's ability to handle things. In addition, one's actions and behaviors can be a sign of stress – especially unhealthy habits and additions. Many people poorly cope with their stress by overeating, drinking, using recreational drugs, smoking, and becoming a workaholic to avoid their distress.

The following are two examples of typical problems that may result from stress and can be addressed in therapy sessions:

•  At the end of your first presentation at work following your promotion, your boss  suggests an improvement to a project you have completed. Although your boss praised  your work overall, you feel attacked and have an immediate anger reaction. You go to the  cafeteria and eat some cookies with a large chocolate shake.
  
•  Saturday evening you decide to stay home and do not make any plans with friends.  Although you are exhausted from a tough work week and could use the rest, you feel  bored and worry you will be alone the rest of your life. You open a bottle of wine and  light up a cigarette.

read about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Healthy Living >>