We help people how to get better at stress, stop procrastinating and stay motivated while we work on healthy habits like meditation and happy living.
Stress-Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. When you sense danger-whether it’s real or imagined—the body’s defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction or the “stress response.,( Help Guide Website). Stressed? Overwhelmed? Over it??? We get it...This is a very stressful time. A new normal has set in and this can leave us feeling out of control, unmotivated, empty, down, or worried. All of this uncertainty can be really tough to navigate. However, "different" does not have to mean misery, and "uncertainty" does not have to mean despair. We are here for you...Together we can work on the way toward peace over panic and faith over fear.
Fight-or-flight response of our body when stressed-When you feel threatened, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, and including adrenaline and cortisol, which rouse the body for emergency action. Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed up your reaction time, and enhance your focus-preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand.
The effects of chronic stress-Your nervous system aren’t very good at distinguishing between emotional and physical threats. If you’re super stressed over an argument with a friend, a work deadline, or a mountain of bills, your body can react just as strongly as if you’re facing a true life-or-death situation. And the more your emergency stress system is activated, the easier it becomes to trigger, making it harder to shut off. If you tend to get stressed out frequently, like many of us in today’s demanding world, your body may exist in a heightened state of stress most of the time. And that can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can suppress your immune system, upset your digestive and reproductive systems, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, and speed up the aging process. It can even rewire the brain, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems.
Health problems caused or exacerbated by stress include; depression and anxiety; the pain of any kind; sleep problems; autoimmune diseases; digestive problems; skin conditions- such as eczema; weight problems; reproductive issues; thinking and memory problems.
Signs and symptoms of stress overload- According to the Help Guide Website, the most dangerous thing about stress is how easily it can creep up on you. You get used to it. It starts to feel familiar, even normal. You don’t notice how much it’s affecting you, even as it takes a heavy toll. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the common warning signs and symptoms of stress overload. Cognitive symptoms: Memory problems, inability to concentrate, poor judgment, seeing only the negative, anxious or racing thoughts, constant worrying. Emotional symptoms: Depression or general unhappiness, anxiety, and agitation; moodiness, irritability, or anger feeling overwhelmed; loneliness and isolation, other mental or emotional health problems. Physical symptoms: Aches and pains, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, rapid heart rate, frequent colds, or flu. Behavioral symptoms: eating more or less, sleeping too much or too little; withdrawing from others; procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities; Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax; nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing).
Causes of stress-The situations and pressures that cause stress are known as stressors. However, anything that puts high demands on you can be stressful. This includes positive events such as getting married, buying a house, going to college, or receiving a promotion. Common external causes of stress include major life changes, work or school, relationship difficulties, financial problems, children, and family. Common internal causes of stress comprise pessimism, inability to accept uncertainty, rigid thinking, and lack of flexibility, negative self-talk, unrealistic expectations/perfectionism, and an all-or-nothing attitude.
Share with a Counsellor- has expert counsellors on stress management, to support and guide you to establish the cause of stress and how it has interfered with your life. They will provide psycho-education on the different stress management skills like relaxation technique, transformation breathing among others through your own phone. Life is not about knowing what to do to make yourself well, but exactly where to start and what to do. Together, we can work on the "how's" of it all. Get the Share with a Counsellor Mobile App, and find a personal counselor to walk with you now.
