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What actually happens in a first session
Most people arrive at the first appointment carrying two things: whatever brought them, and the worry that they will not know how to say it. Here is the whole hour, in plain terms, so one of those can be put down before you walk in.
How Therapy Can Help Chronic Stress
Most people arrive at the first appointment carrying two things: whatever brought them, and the worry that they will not know how to say it. Here is the whole hour, in plain terms, so one of those can be put down before you walk in.
Have you ever noticed that your body may react the same when it thinks that it is in physical danger (such as driving on icy roads in winter) as it does when you receive bad news? There’s a reason for that, and it has everything to do with your biology.
The Body’s Response to Stress
Stress is a natural biological response. When our body perceives a threat, it jumps into action to help us survive. Chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol flood our system to sharpen focus and prepare us to act. When under stress, our brain also suppresses biological functions that it deems unnecessary in the immediate moment — like digestion.
However, what our body perceives as a threat has changed over the years. Today, it’s often not wild animals or life-or-death situations — it’s deadlines, finances, or even social pressures, which may make this natural response more complicated.
Stress In The Modern World
Stress is designed to be an immediate, short-term response. Your body reacts, you deal with the threat, and then you return to calm. But in today’s world, some “threats” don’t end. When stress persists, it becomes chronic.
Historically, stress helped humans survive immediate dangers. Now, our bodies respond similarly to ongoing pressures we can’t easily escape — like workplace demands or family responsibilities—keeping our stress levels elevated far longer than they were meant to be.
The Impacts of Chronic Stress
When our bodies remain in a chronic state of stress with the related hormones constantly elevated, it begins to have an impact on our overall emotional and physical wellbeing.
Chronic stress may lead to increased risk of:
- Cardiovascular problems
- Digestive issues
- Mental health challenges like anxiety and depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Weakened immune function
- Cognitive difficulties, including memory and concentration problems
How To Manage Stress
In an ideal world, we would simply remove ourselves from stressors. Unfortunately, for many, the source of stress may be out of their control. When the source of stress is out of your control, the focus shifts to managing your response instead.
Some strategies that may help include:
- Focusing on your physical health by eating healthy, incorporating exercise into your routine, and creating a regular sleep routine.
- Trying relaxation techniques such as meditation, massage, or yoga.
- Fostering supportive and rewarding relationships with friends and family.
- Making time for hobbies and activities that you enjoy.
- Developing new routines and habits for time management and responding to stressful situations.
Consider Support From a Therapist
Managing chronic stress alone can feel overwhelming. That’s where a therapist can help. A therapist can guide you in developing coping strategies, habits, and routines to reduce the impact of stress — so you’re not facing it all on your own.
A therapist can provide you with guidelines and frameworks to help make the process of developing those strategies, habits, and routines less overwhelming. If chronic stress is affecting your wellbeing, working with a therapist could help you create practical, sustainable ways to respond to life’s pressures.