You know what stress is when you feel it. Stress is normal, but chronic stress leaves your body stuck and sensitive to stress-inducing situations. Battling daily stress is not ideal for your health. To beat it, you may need counseling for managing stress.
Here at Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates, we specialize in therapy for managing stress, helping you learn how to manage the emotional, mental and physical side effects by relying on healthy coping skills.
7 Common Stressors
While some stress can be healthy and helpful, encouraging you to reach deadlines or accomplish goals, other stress can cause negative emotions or interfere with your life, leading to anything from irritability to addictions.
No matter your age, here are seven common stressors you can experience:
- Physical. Medical conditions that cause discomfort or pain can be highly stress-inducing situations.
- Emotional. Feelings such as fear, disappointment or depression can lead to stress.
- Mental. This common cause for stress is due to things such as overthinking, mulling over scenarios and problems, or unrealistic expectations.
- Social. If you feel exiled, inadequate or abandoned, these emotions can cause stress.
- Occupational. High-pressure jobs or an intense workload at school are very common causes of chronic stress.
- External. This could include facing prejudice, abuse or poverty.
- Environmental. Factors you may not consider, such as mold in the air or toxins in your food, can cause bodily stress.
Healthy vs. Problematic Stress
When you face a demanding situation, such as a deadline at school or caring for a new baby, stress hormones increase your blood flow, elevating your heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar so that you can get the job done. Once the task is complete, stress should pass away, leaving you feeling relieved and sometimes a little euphoric. Differing from healthy stress, unhealthy or chronic stress means that the neural pathways in your brain that react to stress have become stronger. You become hypersensitive to stressful situations, and your body can’t get rid of the stress hormones fast enough. So, what was supposed to be an occasional rush of hormones becomes a daily struggle with tension and stress. Unhealthy stress wears on your emotional, mental and physical health and can lead to:
- Headaches.
- Digestive issues.
- Problems sleeping.
- Body aches and pains.
- Sadness.
- Irritability.
- Anger.
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
- Eating issues.
- Addictions.
One of the best ways to address problematic stress is to seek help from a stress management therapist.
How to Relieve and Overcome Stress
No matter what you’re dealing with, there are several ways you can address your stress and find relief from it. Finding the main source of your stress is the first step to overcoming it. It could be a family situation, the intense responsibilities at school or work, or financial difficulties. Once you understand what’s causing your stress, you can try to:
- Get enough sleep.
- Take a daily walk or exercise regularly.
- Eat nutritious meals.
- Take short breaks throughout your day.
- Turn off your phone and other electronics.
- Make a mental or physical to-do list each day.
- Consider removing certain responsibilities from your plate.
- Take a vacation or long weekend break.
- Find a hobby or new activity to enjoy by yourself or with your family.
- Make time for friends.
Why Choose Us for Stress Management Therapy in Andover?
When you choose Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates for stress management counseling, you’ll have access to a team of professionals who will support you throughout your experiences. We have the experience and training to treat a wide range of individuals — from adolescents ages 12-18, college-age individuals ages 18-25 and adults.
We understand that all individuals are unique, which is why no matter your age or needs, our professionals will cater your counseling plan specifically to you.
You can trust that we’ll find the right solution and approach for you and then be with you every step of the way. We offer flexible appointments at our office or via teleconferencing to accommodate your schedule.
Find a Therapist for Stress Management in the Merrimack Valley
If you are struggling with stress and not sure how to turn off chronic feelings of tension, we can help. At Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates, we specialize in therapy for managing stress and can help you develop healthy coping skills to master this often overwhelming physical response. Fill out our online form or give us a call at (978) 482–7351 to begin stress management counseling. A healthier tomorrow awaits.
Reviewed By
Dr. David Rainen, PsyD.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with an extensive background treating a variety of different ages, situations, emotional and mental health disorders in individuals and their families. As part of my 10 year professional and training career in psychology, I have developed and refined my skills and approaches through my work in a variety of diverse settings including: hospitals, community outpatient facilities, college counseling centers, secure and unsecure inpatient/residential treatment programs, and therapeutic day schools.