Stress Out: A Stress Reduction Program

Written by Julie Schultheis, MA, LPC

 

The Stress Out program is a three session program designed to teach participants the basics of stress management. Participants can choose from individual or group sessions to best suit their needs and schedules.

 

Please contact our Intake Coordinators if you are interested in the program.

Phone: 770.980.9229

Email: info@stressmgt.net

What is stress?

 

As a normal response to stress, the brain and pituitary gland send out signals telling the body to release stress hormones, adrenaline, and cortisol. These hormones cause increased heart rate as well as elevated blood pressure and glucose levels. In addition, the digestive system slows down in order to prepare our bodies for "fight or flight."

 

This "normal stress" is usually short-lived. In which case, the body automatically compensates by eliciting the relaxation response or by calming itself in order to return to a balanced state. Chronic stress however, can prohibit the body form returning to a balaned state, thereby contributing to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, sleep disorders, digestive tract irritation, and suppression of the immune system.

 

Learning to effectively manage the stress which inflicts many of us in today's world can empower individuals to postively influence their overal health.

 

Physical Symptoms of Stress

 

• Increased blood pressure
• Palpitations (awareness of heart rate)
• Headaches
• Apprenhension
• Impatience or irritability
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Poor concentration
• Impairment in memory
• Tense muscles
• Aches and pains
• Sexual dysfunction
• "Butterflies" in your stomach
• Pain or cramping in intestines
• Diarrhea and/or constipation

How does therapy help?

 

Many individuals living with stress and anxiety have found help through therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Thearpy (CBT) and relaxtion training are two of the most effective treatment approaches used to help clients effectively manage their stress.

 

CBT is an action-oriented training that creates awareness of the thinking patterns that may cause clients unneccessary stress. The therapist teaches clients to replace stress producing thoughts with realistic alternative perspectives. Once clients learn this process, they can use it for a lifetime. CBT is scientifically proven to be effective in treating both anxiety disorders and depression.

 

Relaxation training utilizes breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, and other coping skills designed to calm the body's nervous system. These skills are painless, easy to use, and effective in quickly reducing one's stress level.

 

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