Stress is a normal part of life. It is your body’s reaction to changes happening in your environment.
While most people associate it with negative things, stress can actually be positive. It helps you avoid danger as well as stay alert and motivated.
Simply put, stress is good as it helps you survive and thrive. However, it can become bad if you experience prolonged periods of stress. It can have a negative impact on your physical and emotional well-being.
Unfortunately, a lot of people have high stress levels these days for a variety of reasons. One of the most common sources though is work. The pressure to perform or achieve targets, harassment, bullying and discrimination are some of the reasons behind work-related stress.
Prolonged activation of your stress response can also happen because of personal circumstances such as the death of a loved one, losing a job or being in an unhealthy relationship.
Whatever the reason behind your high and enduring stress levels, getting professional help is important. One of the best ways to deal with this problem is through stress management counselling.
Remember:
When left unaddressed, continuously dealing with stressors can prevent you from functioning normally. It can be overwhelming and paralysing, making you unable to perform well. It can also take its toll on your health and cause illnesses.
What Is Stress Management Counselling?
It is a treatment that is designed to help you manage your stress levels. It is meant to help you identify and understand your stressors. Most importantly, it is going to arm you with techniques which can reduce stress in your life and enable you to live a healthier life.
It should be noted that this type of therapy is not meant to eliminate stress in your life. Doing this is not possible because, as we’ve mentioned earlier, stress is an essential part of life. However, you can prevent it from continuously happening and dominating your life with the help of a counsellor.
Talking to a stranger about personal things can be scary. It is perfectly normal to feel this way, especially if it is your first time to get counselling.
But please do not worry because your counsellor is there to listen and not to judge. You can also trust that whatever you disclose during sessions will be kept in private.
Why Get Stress Management Counselling
What are the benefits of seeing a counsellor? Below, we list some of the reasons why working with a qualified professional can be good for you.
Avoid Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
When you are stressed out, you are going to find ways to manage it. You may resort to healthy measures like exercising and meditation. You may also end up engaging in harmful behaviours like emotional eating, drinking, smoking and gambling, amongst others.
The thing is that these unhealthy coping mechanisms only provide temporary relief. Moreover, they do not reduce your stress levels. In fact, they can even exacerbate your condition.
With counselling, you can avoid these negative practices. What if you are already doing some of them? Your counsellor can help you change the behaviour and develop a healthier way of managing your stress.
Prevent Other Mental Health Problems
Experiencing unbearable stress for an extended period of time can lead to the development of psychological issues.
For example, people who are under chronic stress end up having panic or anxiety attacks. Some become irritable and eventually develop anger issues. Then, there are people who become withdrawn and depressed.
You can prevent these mental health issues if you are equipped to manage your stress levels properly. In most cases, these psychological problems tend to clear up when the stressor is removed.
Have Better Self-Understanding
The counselling session provides a safe space for you to reflect on and understand yourself better. Here, you are going to learn about what causes your high stress levels and how you respond to it.
Being aware of these things can help you deal with your situation better. It can make you feel in control, avoid panicking and have a positive outlook.
Reduce Your Stress Levels
Simply talking to a counsellor has been proven to reduce stress levels. After each session, patients say that they feel happier.
What’s the reason for this? Verbalising your thoughts and feelings can lift a huge weight off your shoulders. It can help you put things in perspective.
Furthermore, telling someone about what you are experiencing can make you feel that you are not alone in your struggle – that there is someone knowledgeable who can help you.
Lastly, as mentioned earlier, your counsellor is going to teach you techniques which can help you manage your stress. This can include relaxation techniques like controlling your breathing and meditating.
Reaping the aforementioned benefits of stress management counselling is only possible if you work with a qualified counsellor. So, make sure that you carefully choose your therapist. Pick someone who has the credentials and experience needed to offer stress management counselling.
Also, do not delay seeing a counsellor. The sooner you seek help, the better it is going to be for your physical, mental and emotional health.
Do you need stress management counselling? We have counsellors who are trained and experiencing in helping people cope with stress better. Call us on 015240708 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.
