Paul Parkin works with many individual and corporate companies addressing the affects of Stress. In times of financially challenging environments, stress is on the increase. Online counselling and online Life Coaching offers the busy person an accessable medium to explore the issues behind stress and offer lasting techniques in order to redress a healthy balance. Paul uses simple but effective strategies to lower stress levels, you can now access counselling and Life Coaching online, from the comfort of your home or work place.

Stress - What is Stress?

Life can be Stressful. We all face different challenges and obstacles, and sometimes the pressure is hard to handle. When we feel overwhelmed, under the gun, or unsure of how to meet the demands placed on us, we experience Stress.

In small doses, Stress can be a good thing. It can give you the push you need, motivating you to do your best and to stay focused and alert. Stress is what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work or drives you to study for your midterm when you'd rather be watching TV. But when the going gets too tough and life's demands exceed your ability to cope, stress becomes a threat to both your physical and emotional well-being. Too much stress can result in Anxiety, Depression, self harm and even Suicide. In these busy, difficult echonomic times work related stress is on the increase.

Stress is a Psychological and Physiological response to events that upset our personal balance in some way. These events or demands are known as stressors. We usually think of stressors as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky Relationship. However, anything that forces us to adjust can be a Stressor. This includes positive events such as getting married or receiving a promotion. Regardless of whether an event is good or bad, if the changes it brings strain our coping skills and adaptive resources, the end result is the subjective feeling of Stress and the body's biological stress response.

What causes Stress and its symptoms?

The potential causes of Stress are numerous. Your Stress may be linked to outside factors such as the state of the world, the environment in which you live or work, or your family. Your stress can also come from your own irresponsible behaviour, negative attitudes and feelings, or unrealistic expectations. Furthermore, the causes of Stress are highly individual. What you consider Stressful depends on many factors, including your personality, general outlook on life, problem-solving abilities, and social support system. Something that's Stressful to you may be neutral or even enjoyable to someone else. For example, your morning commute may make you anxious and tense because you worry that traffic will make you late. Others, however, may find the trip relaxing because they allow more than enough time and enjoy playing music or listening to books while they drive.

Stress factors can be divided into three broad categories:

Frustrations – Frustrations are obstacles that prevent you from meeting your needs or achieving personal goals. They can be external—such as discrimination, an unsatisfying job, divorce, or the death of a loved one—or internal. Examples of internal frustrations include physical handicaps, the lack of a desired ability or trait, and other real or perceived personal limitations.

Conflicts – Stressors involving two or more incompatible needs or goals are known as conflicts. For example, a working mother might feel torn over a job offer that would advance her career, but take time away from her family. Sometimes the conflict involves a choice between two desirable options, such as deciding between two acceptance offers from equally appealing colleges. At other times, the decision involves disagreeable alternatives.

Pressures – Stress can stem from the expectations of others or the demands you place on yourself. You may feel pressure to get good grades in order to please your parents or get into a good school. Or you may feel pressure to excel at work, make a difference in your community, or be the perfect mother or parent.

Whether or not the source of stress causes significant emotional and physical symptoms depends in part on the nature of the stressor itself. Stressors that involve central aspects of your life or that persist for extended periods of time are more likely to result in severe distress and disruption of functioning. Furthermore, the more stressful situations or life changes you're dealing with at one time, the more intense the symptoms of stress become.

 

What are the signs and symptoms of stress?

Stress affects the mind, body, and behaviour in many ways. The specific signs and symptoms of stress vary from person to person, but all have the potential to harm your health, emotional well-being, and relationships with others.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress

Intellectual symptoms:
How stress can affect your mind

Memory problems.
Difficulty making decisions.
Inability to concentrate.
Confusion.
Seeing only the negative.
Repetitive or racing thoughts. 
Poor judgment.
Loss of objectivity.
Desire to escape or run away.

Emotional symptoms:
How stress can make you feel

Moody and hypersensitive.
Restlessness and anxiety.
Depression.                                                                                                                                       
Anger and resentment.
Easily irritated and “on edge”.
Sense of being overwhelmed.
Lack of confidence.
Apathy.
Urge to laugh or cry at inappropriate times.

Physical symptoms:
How stress can affect your body

Headaches.
Digestive problems.
Muscle tension and pain.
Sleep disturbances.
Fatigue.
Chest pain, irregular heartbeat.
High blood pressure.
Weight gain or loss.
Asthma or shortness of breath.
Skin problems.
Decreased sex drive.

Behavioural symptoms:
How stress can affect your behaviour

Eating more or less.
Sleeping too much or too little.
Isolating yourself from others.
Neglecting your responsibilities.
Increasing alcohol and drug use.
Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing).
Teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
Overdoing activities such as exercising or shopping.
Losing your temper.
Overreacting to unexpected problems.

Keep in mind that the signs and symptoms of stress can be caused by other psychological or physical problems, so it’s important that you consult a doctor to evaluate physical symptoms. Similarly, emotional symptoms such as anxiety or depression can mask conditions other than stress. It’s important to find out whether or not they are stress-related.

 

How Can I Eliminate Stress from My Life?

As we have seen, adrenalin adds anticipation and excitement to life, and we all thrive under a certain amount of stress. Deadlines, competitions, confrontations, and even our frustrations and sorrows add depth and enrichment to our lives. Our goal is not to eliminate stress but to learn how to manage it and how to use it to help us.  By addressing the underlying causes of stress a healthier mind and body can make you feel much, much better.  Work with a counsellor and life coach online now, it will be the best investment in you that you could ever make.

Talk to a professional Stress Counsellor or online Life Coach in confidence about your lifestyle and explore ways to improve your well being NOW.

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