Stress is the term used to describe how our bodies respond to a situation or event that makes us feel tense, anxious, or angry. Our responses to stress and how it affects our physical and mental health vary greatly from person to person. Learning effective stress management techniques may help you avoid long-term psychological stress, which can cause a range of unpleasant emotions like fear, guilt, and worry, which can cause mental health problems like panic attacks or depression.
When we are faced with a stressful situation, our bodies produce hormones that trigger the 'fight or flight' response, which can be beneficial if it is short-lived, such as pushing us on during a marathon or giving us the boost we need to make a speech. When the situation is over, our bodies return to their normal resting state with no negative consequences.
Excessive stress can have a wide range of impacts on the body and mind, such as suppressing the immune system and raising cortisol levels, which can lead to heart attacks and other severe medical issues. People who are prone to these situations should take steps to manage their stress levels.
Learning to manage stress effectively can help prevent long-term psychological stress, which can lead to negative emotions such as fear, guilt, and worry, which can lead to mental health problems like panic attacks or depression.
Stress Information
Stress can lead to a range of negative emotions, physical symptoms, and depression. It can also lead to changes in behaviour, such as difficulty falling asleep, irritability, withdrawal, and indecisiveness.
Physical issues like headaches, indigestion, or nausea are frequently brought on by stress, and you might experience more aches and pains than usual. You might alter your eating patterns, and you might lose interest in working out. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stomach ulcers, and cardiovascular disease have all been linked in some studies to the long-term effects of stress.
Stress is not always a bad thing, but if it is having an adverse effect on your life, it is time to look for ways to cope. Stress is not a psychiatric disorder, but is closely linked to mental health. It can trigger a problem such as depression or anxiety, and if existing mental health concerns are worse, it can make them worse. Most of us have ways of coping with stressful situations, but if it is becoming too much for us to handle, it is helpful to see a professional.
Direct Focus Solutions' multidisciplinary team can offer therapies to help people identify and understand triggers and develop stress-management techniques. Cognitive behavioural therapy is an example of this, which involves assessing and analysing the effects of stress on daily life and developing unique coping mechanisms. It is the "go-to" intervention for assisting a brain that is stuck in hyperarousal.
Our facilities provide psychological interventions, biofeedback training, occupational therapy, and restorative yoga to create a stress therapy tailored to your specific requirements. Visit one of our offices in Sydney or Wollongong, or schedule a Telehealth visit from home.
