By: Joyce Marter, LCPC, Psychotherapist & Co-Owner of Urban Balance, LLC

©2010 all rights reserved.

Stress Overview:

Some stress is good as it can sharpen our awareness and motivate us. But too much stress has a negative impact on our minds and bodies and can cause emotional, relational, and medical problems.

Avoid negative ways to reduce stress that may actually cause more harm (i.e. drinking, smoking, over-eating, compulsive shopping, gambling, watching too much TV or video games.) Your stress management tools should promote health and wellness.

Avoid or reduce caffeine (replace your double espresso with a soothing herbal tea.)

Take time and seek help to get organized (with your time, money and at home and office.)

Make sure you have proper rest, nutrition and self care.

You must create time for self care. Many of us tend to the responsibilities of work and home and get caught up in the gerbil wheel of life and neglect to create time for ourselves. We must take care of ourselves first in order to be healthy and effective in our personal and professional lives. If we do not create time for ourselves, our stress can cause medical problems like hypertension, gastrointestinal problems. headaches, etc. Stress can also exacerbate anxiety, depression and relationship problems. Make time for yourself on a daily basis, even if you start with 20 minutes and build from there--- schedule it into your calendar rather than leaving it for when you “might” have time. Let go of guilt about self care.

You must take care of yourself in order to function effectively in your life.

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