Stress can impact on you in many ways and can have a significant effect on your emotional, mental and physical health. A certain amount of stress can be healthy and can aid your productivity; however, experiencing high levels of stress regularly can be detrimental to your personal life, your professional life, and your overall well-being. To assess the effects stress is having on your emotional health and functioning please click on the link and complete the self-assessment survey.

What causes stress?

If we take a look at Maslow’s five stage model which simplistically demonstrates what is needed for an individual to be able to fulfil their full potential; what is clear is if any of the five needs are affected a person’s ability to self-actualise is greatly obstructed and consequently could create distress.

For example, if your basic needs were affected by illness or financial issues this then could present the threat of not being able to provide food and shelter which then could potentially affect your need for security. Also, if there were relationship issues this could affect your need for a sense of belonging, which in turn could greatly affect your self-esteem and confidence. Therefore, these five fundamental stages are necessary for you to achieve your potential and feel at your most content and happiest.

Trying to address and change the areas of your life that are affecting you can feel at times impossible. Often people are not aware of how unhappy they are in a particular area because the alternative may feel too overwhelming, yet there are still lots of practical things you can do to manage the amount of day-to-day pressure that you are under.

  • Time management is the foundation for there to be balance between your working hours, your personal life and for you to have time for rest and play.
  • Being able to assertively communicate how you are feeling with others and being able to say ‘no’ is the key to healthy relationships.
  • Identifying your triggers and mindfulness practice can help you to focus on the present and can also help you to not get drawn into mind chatter or drama related behaviour.
  • Looking after your physical health by exercising and healthy eating can help lessen the impact of stress on your overall mental health.

When you identify, address and make changes to the areas of your life that you are unhappy in. You will build upon your emotional resilience, which will give you the ability to adapt and bounce back when something difficult happens in your life.

If you have enquiry about Glister’s counselling service or if you would like to make an appointment, please do not hesitate to get in touch. For details on how to make contact please click HERE.