Stress Management

According to the American Institute of Stress, American stress levels are 20% higher than the rest of the world. If you’re among the 55% of Americans struggling with daily stress, consider stress management at Iasis Solutions in Framingham, Massachusetts. Practice founder and owner Virginia Ndoro FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, offers compassionate, evidence-based stress management plans to help you live a healthier, happier life despite your stressors. To learn more, schedule an appointment online or over the phone today.

What is stress?

Stress is your body’s automatic physical, emotional, and mental response to a challenging event. When you experience stress, your body releases hormones to increase your heart rate, tense your muscles, and heighten your brain’s alertness. 

The two primary types of stress are acute stress and chronic stress.

Acute stress

Acute stress is temporary stress that typically appears when you’re in a demanding, problematic, or challenging situation, like when you get into an argument or injure yourself. 

You also feel acute stress when something exciting happens, like when you’re boarding a plane for a trip or about to see an old friend. Acute stress wears off when you’re no longer in that stressful or exciting situation.

Chronic stress

In contrast, chronic stress is persistent tension that lingers for weeks or months. Chronic stress may come from drawn-out difficulties, such as car troubles or conflicts at work.

Chronic stress is also a common symptom of mental health conditions like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or depression. 

Chronic stress can be so heavy and constant that it starts to feel normal. However, no matter how used to it you become, chronic stress is harmful to your mental and physical health. That’s where stress management comes in.

What is stress management?

Stress management is a strategy-based treatment that helps you better deal with everyday difficulties and chronic stress and enjoy a healthier, more balanced life.

Stress management is important because stress, especially chronic stress, can contribute to and increase your risk of:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Menstrual irregularities
• Skin problems (acne, eczema, etc.)
• Obesity 
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart disease

It can also lead to physical symptoms including:

• Aches and pains
• Chest pain or a racing heart
• Exhaustion or trouble sleeping
• Headaches, dizziness, or shaking
• High blood pressure
• Muscle tension or jaw clenching
• Stomach or digestive problems
• Sexual dysfunction
• A weakened immune system

Stress can also lead to anxiety and panic attacks, depression and sadness, irritability, and unhealthy behaviors.

How does stress management work?

Iasis Solutions works with patients to develop numerous stress management strategies to help them deal with their stressors. Common approaches to stress management include:

• Problem-solving strategies
• Enhancing emotional awareness and response control
• Time management and task prioritization
• Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, mindfulness, tai chi, deep breathing, etc.
• Interpersonal skills
• Lifestyle changes
• Exercise
• Goal setting

If you’re overwhelmed by the stressors in your life, you don’t have to fight alone. Schedule a stress management consultation at Iasis Solutions online or over the phone today.