4,7 of 5 in 5000+ reviews
Thousands of clients trust Lavendla Therapy for delivering exceptional service and support.
Life can often be stressful, but it doesn't have to decrease our quality of life. Here we explain what stress management is and what you can do.
Stress is a normal part of human life. It is the body’s way of reacting to various challenges and is a response that is activated when we face situations that require adaptation or change, whether physical, mental, emotional or environmental. While stress at work or in school is a common problem, it is often more nuanced than that. If stress has become prolonged, it may be time to work on stress management.
Stress management is the method of finding a balance between activation and recovery in life in general. This looks different for everyone. It can mean taking breaks in your everyday life, but also saying no to increased work tasks if you find it difficult to set limits. It is about identifying what gives and takes energy to prevent and treat more severe stress problems. By changing your everyday habits, but also with the support of a psychologist or psychotherapist, you can become better at managing your stress.
Click here to view all psychologists, therapists, and coaches.
When we focus our energy on something, we can experience a stress response. The evolutionary “fight and flight” response kicks in. The brain reacts to threats, but in today’s society, our threats likely look different than those of our ancestors. Instead of running from bears, we are chasing deadlines.
Short-term stress is not dangerous and is a normal part of being human. However, what can be problematic is if we live with the stress constantly for a long time. This can lead to both mental and physical health problems. This is why it is so important to use stress management skills in your daily life.
Identifying stress is key to preventing long-term negative consequences. It is important to recognize the signs early, both to feel better in the short term but also to prevent problems later on.
Fill in the form, choose a counsellor and proceed to payment.
If you know that you have been stressed for a long time, it is important to pay attention to your symptoms so that you can prevent further illness, and get the help you need. Here are some symptoms that commonly occur:
Thousands of clients trust Lavendla Therapy for delivering exceptional service and support.
Browse and select a counsellor based on reviews, area of focus, and education, ensuring you find the perfect match.
Choose a 45, 60, or 90-minute session, or a package, providing flexibility and control over the duration and intensity.
There are many different ways to manage stress, from lifestyle changes to psychological treatment. It is important to work on finding a balance between acute stress and recovery in order to prevent long-term ill health. If you need to, you can also seek more help from a licensed psychologist or therapist.
If you have mild or moderate concerns you can seek help from a psychologist, where you can work with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to manage stress. This includes using a stress diary to see how stress affects your daily life and various cognitive techniques to examine values and beliefs related to your behaviour. CBT also work on learning how to manage emotions related to performance and setting boundaries.
Newer forms of CBT, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), can also be helpful for stress as it focuses on what you value in life and recovery through mindfulness. There is research showing that ACT can be helpful in managing stress.
To manage your stress, you need to increase your recovery. There are several ways to do this, and mindfulness has become a popular way to achieve this in recent years. There are elements of mindfulness in treatment with ACT, but there are also other mindfulness-based treatments such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), which is an evidence-based group treatment for managing stress and fatigue, that can be helpful. If you want to practise on your own, there are many apps, such as Insight Timer, that provide meditations to listen to. Alternatively, you can take a course in yoga or meditation.
If you feel that too much stress in your daily life is affecting your health and well-being, it may be time to seek professional help. A psychologist can offer support and tools to manage your stress more effectively.
Remember, it is never too late to address stress. Your health and well-being should always be a priority, and if you feel the stress is too much, don’t hesitate to contact us for support and guidance.
Stress is a normal part of human life and is basically the body’s way of reacting to various challenges and stresses.
Stress is a response that is activated when we are faced with situations that require adaptation or change, whether physical, mental, emotional or environmental. It can range from getting to the bus on time to a new job or becoming a parent.
Signs of excessive stress can include feeling overwhelmed, irritability, decreased motivation or productivity, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and changes in sleep habits. Physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, or stomach problems can also be indications of stress. If these symptoms affect your daily life, it is important to seek professional help.
To reduce stress levels at work, focus on creating a healthy working environment. This can mean adjusting your schedule, setting realistic goals, and making sure you take breaks during the day. Practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques such as deep breathing can also be effective. Make sure you also take care of your physical health through regular exercise and a balanced diet. Maintaining a strong social support network outside of work is also important.
Long-term stress can lead to several negative health consequences, such as cardiovascular disease, and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. It can also affect the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections. On a personal level, it can lead to problems in relationships and overall quality of life. Managing stress effectively is therefore crucial for both your physical and mental health.
Yes, the work environment plays a major role in your stress level. A noisy, cluttered or conflict-ridden environment can increase stress. On the other hand, a supportive, organized and positive work environment can contribute to lower stress levels. It is important to work towards creating a workplace that promotes well-being, which can include ergonomic workstations, sufficient light, and a culture that encourages breaks and social support.
Effective time management is crucial to reducing stress at work. By organizing and prioritizing your tasks, you can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. Learning to say no to tasks that exceed your capacity and delegating when possible are also important aspects. Using planning tools and setting realistic deadlines can also help keep stress at a reasonable level.
Yes, there are several relaxation techniques that can help manage stress. Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness exercises are effective methods. Short walks or stretching during the day can also help. Some people find that listening to quiet music or practicing yoga can be relaxing. Experimenting with different techniques can help you find what works best for you.
Psychologists work with evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which can be helpful in managing stress. You can work with different techniques and a stress diary to increase your recovery and life balance.
You can seek help from one of our licensed psychologists or therapists here at Lavendla. If you have more severe concerns, you should seek contact with a doctor for assessment via, for example, your family doctor or your local urgent care or emergency room.
If you need to manage your stress, there is help available and here you can get an idea of what a treatment could look like:
The first step is to map your history and how your symptoms have developed. A professional psychologist or therapist can help you evaluate your situation and understand what is causing your stress. You may also be asked to complete assessment forms.
You will learn about stress and how it affects you both physically and mentally. It is important to understand what happens in your body, thoughts and feelings when stress occurs.
In CBT treatment, you will work on identifying patterns that are linked to your stress. This may include working on lifestyle values, completing a stress diary and learning to set healthy boundaries and identify needs. You will also be given homework to practice between sessions, which may include various mindfulness exercises.
You will have support from your psychologist throughout the process. At the end of the treatment, you will also receive a plan to continue practicing and maintain your progress over time.
If your symptoms are severe, they may require more specialized care. In this case, it is a good idea to contact a doctor at your health centre for an assessment.
Book a first session with one of our licensed psychologists or therapists to see how we can help you. Together, we can make the difficult easier.