Adulting is hard and overrated. At times life can feel like you are drowning. Stress is a natural part of life. It comes in many forms: emotional, mental, and/or physical. It becomes a problem when it starts to have a detrimental impact on daily functioning of the mind, body and spirit. Whether you are struggling with the stress related to the daily hustle of life or ongoing stress related to the pandemic there is help for you.
Some common causes of stress may include:
- The death of a loved one
- Divorce
- Loss of a job
- Increase in financial obligations
- Getting married
- Moving to a new home
- Chronic illness or injury
- Emotional problems (depression, anxiety, anger, grief, guilt, low self-esteem)
- Taking care of an elderly or sick family member
- Traumatic events, such as a natural disaster, theft, rape, or violence against you or a loved one
For many the responses to stress may look different for every person. You may recognize the signs or maybe you just feel “off.” Some common responses to stress may include irritability, headaches, lack of focus, overeating, and/or sleep disruptions. Here is a short online quiz regarding stress to give you an idea of your own stress level.
Self-care and healthy coping skills are imperative to managing the impact that stress has on your overall functionality and quality of life. I would be happy to explore to help you find your own path to learning healthy coping skills and understanding that self-care is NOT selfish. Attending therapy is a form of self-care and can be a benefit as it helps to explore the various stressors in your life. You and I can come up with ways to manage your response to toxic situations and develop coping skills which you can apply to reduce your stress more efficiently.