Stress management involves a wide range of techniques and therapies in order to help an individual manage stress levels. What we perceive as stress differs amongst each individual as each person will deal with and find certain situations or problems stressful to them but may not necessarily be stressful to another. Stress may be caused by certain situations which put added pressure on us for example a long to do list and deadlines to meet in the workplace. Stress may also be caused by our reaction to pressure that we are put under and how each individual deals with the added pressures. There is no right or wrong answer to what causes stress, more about how we are feeling physically and psychologically when under stress as it can have a detrimental effect on our minds and bodies.
Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental and/or emotional pressure. This pressure turns into stress when we no longer feel able to cope with the obstacles we are faced with. Stress in small doses can be beneficial in order to help us meet deadlines or push us to undertake new and difficult tasks. When stress levels elevate and become prolonged this is when there can be a detrimental effect on the body and mind which can have an effect on how you feel, behave, think and how the body works. If stress becomes out of control it can heighten the risk of heart disease, asthma, strokes, diabetes and even some forms of cancer. During periods of prolonged stress you can have feelings of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and even mood swings or low tolerance levels. Lack of sleep can also worsen symptoms of stress and if you are not getting enough sleep then this can make you feel more stressed.
Stress management can involve many different techniques in order to help manage symptoms of stress. Certain life-coaching skills and talking therapy can help ease stress through ?getting it off your chest? as well as incorporating a positive thinking attitude towards these stressful situations. Stress management is designed to allow the client to gain tools in order to help manage their own stress and know the signs and symptoms of stress. During a stress management treatment blood pressure can be taken initially which can be an indicator if stress levels are high then this can reflect on an individual?s blood pressure which could be elevated in periods of stress. Stress management at Bodyworks also incorporates a physical treatment such as massage into the session which can be particularly helpful in cases of stress, enhancing relaxation within the body and mind as well as releasing feel good hormones. It can also be helpful to take blood pressure following the treatment to see if it has lowered, which is usually the case as massage evokes relaxation and releases muscular tension which in turn helps to lower blood pressure. Meditation and mindfulness techniques are also used within stress management where the client will be using visualisation techniques in some cases to clear the mind and ease stress levels.