Are you overwhelmed by stress?
You may be asking yourself: jeez, who isn’t? Demanding jobs, long commutes, family responsibilities, and financial struggles touch almost everyone. You may be coping with specific negative life events like a job loss, divorce, or loss of a loved one.
Sometimes, even good things can cause stress. Getting married is one of the most stressful events you can ever be part of!
Stress is a natural part of everyone’s life, but at times it can get out of control.
And while stress is not a specific psychological diagnosis, a high-stress lifestyle could be a precursor to depression or anxiety.
You might need help faster than you think you do. Most people wait far too long to address their stress. A great deal of stress becomes completely unconscious. This can mean you don’t have an objective view of whether you’re getting overloaded.
Ask yourself the following questions to determine whether stress management might be a smart move for you at this stage.
Do I constantly feel unable to concentrate?
Do I feel busy all the time, “swamped,” or overwhelmed?
How often do I argue with my friends and family members?
Am I sleeping okay?
Do I feel healthy?
Do I feel like my life is out of control?
Do I start the day with a sense of excitement, or with a sense of dread?
Remember, you don’t have to prove you’re stressed “enough.” If you feel like stress is having a negative impact on your life, then it’s okay to seek help for it.
Several studies have shown that taking steps to eliminate stress early such as using cognitive behavioral therapy can help avoid full-blown anxiety, depression, or PTSD. It can also help you minimize your risk for certain medical conditions exacerbated by
stress, such as heart disease.
Why wait for your life to become unmanageable? There is a lot to be said for enjoying your life! It’s hard to do that when you feel overwhelmed and out of control most of the time.
Eliminating stress is never possible. Managing stress, and managing our responses to stress, can be.
Visiting with me about your stress means learning techniques and coping mechanisms that can keep your stress at normal, healthy levels. This in turn helps you minimize the impact stress could be having on your life.
You can’t always figure it out on your own, and you shouldn’t be expected to just “get over it.” Contact me today to discuss how we might work together to address your stress.