Stress is your body’s reaction to any change that requires a response or adjustment, and it can react to these changes mentally, physically or emotionally. However, stress is a normal part of life, and you can experience it from your body, your environments and your thoughts. Family relationships are one of the top causes of stress in most people’s daily lives, alongside work and finances.
The solution to most long-lasting stress triggers often lies in health psychology and cognitive behavioural therapy. If you’re feeling close to the edge, treatment can be the best way to cut through the stress and learn new coping mechanisms.
How can CBT help you deal with stress?
There are a number of ways you can help yourself when it comes to managing your stress, but if you suffer from depression or anxiety, proven psychological therapies such as CBT can help you control these conditions in the long-term.
CBT for stress works on the premise that the events in our lives are not the sole cause of our stress; in fact, the way we think about them is an even bigger factor.
For example, two people may be waiting for a delayed train. One person might view this situation as an opportunity to read a book, listen to music or get lost in their thoughts. Another person may only be able to focus on the time that’s being wasted and feel helpless, becoming distressed. This is just one example – there are hundreds which show how our thoughts and negative feelings can affect our experiences. These can lead to either a calm demeanour or trigger a stress response.
As a psychologist, I will work with you to recognise and alter these negative thought patterns. This will include discovering new ways of thinking and behaving to eliminate some of the stressors in your life, and providing coping strategies for unavoidable situations which can make you feel stressed.
Is there anything else you can do?
If you feel that stress from work or home is affecting your ability to enjoy life like you once did, you could try practising mindfulness techniques yourself. These can help you to enjoy your life moment-to-moment and have been shown to reduce stress and negative feelings that may arise when something doesn’t go to plan.
