Stress Management

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1/2 Day CPD Certified Stress Management – Learn how to calm stress, release tension, improve sleep and focus.

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An over stimulated adrenal system without effective deep relaxation strategies in place, will create nervous exhaustion, lowered immune system and increase the likelihood of problems such as heightened anxiety, excessive tiredness, irritability, Chronic Fatigue, addictive behaviours and weight issues.

What is stress? When you perceive a threat, our body is designed to respond automatically. Our nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol to arouse us for emergency action. Our heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and our senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus – preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand. The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life – giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. The stress response also helps you rise to meet challenges.

However, it is not the emergency stresses that damage our bodies and ability to feel great. It is the drip, drip, drip pressures and expectations that create the biggest challenge. Beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

Effects of chronic stress

The body doesn’t distinguish between physical and psychological threats. Long-term exposure to stress can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, and speed up the ageing process. Long-term stress can even rewire the brain, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

STRESS WARNING SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Cognitive Symptoms	Emotional Symptoms
Memory problems Inability to concentrate Poor judgment Seeing only the negative Anxious or racing thoughts Constant worrying	Moodiness Irritability or short temper Agitation, inability to relax Feeling overwhelmed Sense of loneliness and isolation Depression or general unhappiness
Physical Symptoms	Behavioural Symptoms
Aches and pains Diarrhea or constipation Nausea, dizziness Chest pain, rapid heartbeat Loss of sex drive Frequent colds	Eating more or less Sleeping too much or too little Isolating yourself from others Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

Your ability to tolerate stress depends on many factors, including the quality of your relationships, your general outlook on life, your emotional intelligence, and genetics.

Many health problems are caused or exacerbated by stress, including:

Pain of any kind
Heart disease
Digestive problems
Sleep problems

Depression
Obesity
Autoimmune diseases
Skin conditions, such as eczema

Am I in control of stress or is stress controlling me?

When I feel agitated, do I know how to quickly calm and soothe myself?
Can I easily let go of my anger?
When I come home at night, am I able to refresh easily?
When I come home at night, do I walk in the door feeling alert and relaxed?
Am I seldom distracted or moody?
Am I able to recognize upsets that others seem to be experiencing?
When my energy is low, do I know how to boost it?

If stress is undermining your quality of life, or your colleagues and you would like to do something about it call Rapid Health 01843 846947 to discuss your personal requirements.

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