Stress is a sign of overload and is often the result of multiple pressure points that are putting pressure on you at the same time. For example, relationship problems + conflict with your boss + a seriously ill mother can result in overload and stress.
Symptoms of stress can be:
- Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
- Headache, nausea, or digestive problems
- High heart rate, labored breathing, tension, irritability
- Changes in breathing
- Depression and negative attitude towards most things
- Sleep problems
You may not always know why you are stressed or what you need to change to ease the stress. It can be useful information to notice which situations provoke stress symptoms. You should also note which conversation topics or thoughts create a stress reaction.
In therapy, the current circumstances and how stress reactions manifest themselves in this landscape will be examined. Specific pressure points will be identified, which will be adjusted where possible. In the face of circumstances that cannot be changed, acceptance methods will be used, which will be practiced through various exercises.
This is something we will explore in the conversations, and set concrete action points to create the necessary change.
3 ways to try to calm your nervous system yourself
- Set aside 10 minutes to think about what would 'relieve the pressure' and give you more space. Maybe it's less of a particular type of task at work. Maybe it's swapping tasks around at home. Maybe it's dropping some of the week's activities. Write it down, be specific. Set yourself one of these changes as a task, and put it into action. Even if it feels anxiety-provoking and you don't think you can do it. This feeling characterizes the most important changes we make.
- Set a time limit for how late you can discuss problems, do work-related things, or talk about projects (practical or otherwise) that feel demanding. This could mean, for example, that you don't talk about/deal with these things after 9:00 p.m. Stick to this decision.
- Go from multi-tasking to single-tasking. That is, practice doing one thing at a time. (This is a discipline most of us mastered as children, but then forgot again). If you are eating, concentrate on just eating. If you are watching a movie, concentrate on just watching the movie. If you are talking on the phone, focus your senses only on that activity. This will lead to greater recovery of your brain, and to support your concentration skills.
If this is a problem you are struggling with and would like help moving forward, we would like to hear from you. Send us an email or call us and we will find out how we can best help you.