Stress is a natural response to an external stimuli. Not all stress is bad for you; in fact stress that you can tolerate helps you to stay focused, energetic, and alert. However, when stress becomes prolonged and intense it can damage your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life. While many areas in our lives can be a source of stress two examples of stress management that I work with is Caregiver Stress and Work Stress / Burnout

Caregiver Stress

While caring for a loved one can be very rewarding, it also involves many stressors. It can be particularly disheartening when there’s no hope that your family member will get better or if, despite your best efforts, their condition is gradually deteriorating.

For some the demands of caregiving can be overwhelming, especially if you feel that you’re in over your head or have little control over the situation. For others, the lack of boundaries between their roles as a caregiver and a spouse, child, or other loved one can be challenging.

Caregivers put unrealistic expectations on themselves, thinking that they can do it all and refusing to ask for help. This may often be because they don’t want to be a burden on anyone else. Other caregivers are simply frustrated by the overwhelming changing needs of their loved one, or the financial and other resources needed to care for someone with a long-term illness or disability.

If the stress of caregiving is left unattended, it can take a toll on your health, relationships eventually leading to caregiver burnout. And when you’re burned out, it’s tough to do anything, let alone look after someone else. That’s why stress management and taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity.

Workplace Stress

In today’s hectic world, the workplace too often seems like an emotional roller coaster. Long hours, tight deadlines, and ever-increasing demands can leave you feeling worried, drained, and overwhelmed. When stress exceeds your ability to cope, it stops being helpful and starts causing damage to your mind and body – as well as to your job satisfaction.

Common causes of workplace stress include:

• Fear of being laid off
• Working longer hours to meet deadlines
• Pressure to perform to meet rising expectations but with no increase in job satisfaction
• Pressure to work at optimum levels—all the time!
• Lack of control over how you do your work
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed
• Apathy, loss of interest in work
• Problems sleeping
• Fatigue
• Trouble concentrating
• Muscle tension or headaches
• Stomach problems
• Social withdrawal
• Loss of sex drive
• Using alcohol or drugs to cope

Recognising and addressing the signs of stress, and learning techniques for stress management, will help you develop a healthy approach to life.

Please contact me if you are having issues with stress.