This month I have been asked to focus on stress and how to deal with it in an effective way. At present there are a lot of changes happening. The cost of living rising at a rapid rate and household bills are on the increase. For some people that were struggling with the stresses of everyday life, paying childcare, bills and buying essential items, this is getting steadily worse and some people are ever more stretched, causing more stress and anxiety.
As recent months have demonstrated, stress is unavoidable. Now more than ever, it’s important to understand stress and how we can manage it. While stress can be beneficial, too much of it can be harmful.
When the body senses a threat (or stressor), it goes on high alert, and once the threat passes, the body quickly recovers. At least that’s the way it’s supposed to work. Stressors can include health matters, work, money, family issues, racism or gender inequality, and regular daily hassles. With unrelenting or too many stressors, your body might be on a constant state of high alert, leading to poor concentration, bad moods, professional burnout, and mental and physical health problems. When stress becomes chronic, the body cannot return to normal functioning. Chronic stress can be linked with health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and anxiety.
Stress affects women and men differently. Many conditions associated with stress — such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety — are more common in women than men.
Here at PCS we want to help you to cope with stressful situations or have someone to talk to if you feel that things are becoming too much for you. The counsellor at PCS can listen and give you tips and advice on how to support your mental health and wellbeing. One of those interventions that she may try is called stress resilience.
