You are not alone! If you are not seeking help for your stress, according to the Stress and Wellbeing in Australia survey 2015, you are one of 64% of Australians admitting to feeling the impact of stress on their mental health but not doing anything about it.
Only a small minority actually seek help. Levels of stress have been increasing over the last 5 years and 35% of Australians are significantly distressed.
Life is increasingly hectic and it can be a daily challenge to achieve a balance of study, work, satisfying relationships, financial stability, exercise, and a healthy diet.
Almost everyone goes through periods of their lives that are stressful and uncomfortably busy. You are generally able to deal well with the difficulties life throws at you, but at present, you are finding it difficult to cope and you may be worried that you just can’t see the end of it all and that it will just go on and on and on…
Most people have times in their lives when they are stressed or anxious. Generally it passes. But sometimes the stress becomes the new normal and you continue to avoid taking steps to improve your situation, hoping it will get better.
It is part of the human condition to feel stressed and anxious at times. Stress is a response to a threatening situation such as conflict at work with the boss. Anxiety is your reaction to that stress.
When you are stressed or anxious, your body reacts by releasing adrenalin and cortisol. The release of these hormones occurs to help you deal most efficiently with a threatening situation and your body becomes ready to deal with emergency action. You go through a number of physical changes such as a pounding heart and tightening of muscles. This is called the fight or flight response. You may also freeze and be unable to move.
You can respond to external stress such as exams, getting married (yes, stress can be caused by the positive events in life as well) or financial problems or to internal stress such as the way you think. These may include unrealistically high standards you set for yourself or others, negativity, and catastrophic thinking where small things are blown out of proportion.
We’re all very different and what is stressful for one person is motivating and challenging for another. Some people tend to thrive on a rushed and busy life while others need to be calm and live and work without pressure and find even small obstacles are detrimental to their lives.
This type of stress involves excessive demands such as too much work and too little play, ongoing conflict or pressures and worry. These exceed the resources you have. Sometimes you can become so used to ongoing stress that it is normal for you. But, it is taking its toll and wearing you down and it is harming your mental and physical wellbeing. In fact, there are few things as detrimental as ongoing stress and it can cause health problems such as high blood pressure and in the long term, heart disease.
The good news is that stress is a very treatable condition. You can try eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, making sure you get enough relaxation and connecting and discussing the problem with family or friends you feel comfortable talking to. If however, none of the things you have tried are working, you may need the help of a counsellor to return to a balanced and fulfilled life.
You can learn to become more resilient like the sapling that blows and bends in the wind as opposed to the tree that seems strong but is brittle and breaks in the face of strong winds. You can achieve the ability to bounce back and handle obstacles and setbacks more easily.
If you find yourself unable to manage your stress, there is no shame in getting some help.
Counselling for stress is an investment in your future. It can be very helpful to discuss your stress with an objective and caring professional.
It can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between whether your stress is normal or when it is excessive and you need help to reduce or manage it. I provide a discreet and confidential service and also I am happy to chat to you on the phone and help to guide you as to whether therapy could be helpful for you. Counselling for stress is usually short term and consists of exploring the causes of stress and helping with strategies to deal with it.
So if you are one of those Australians who is distressed and not getting the help you need, consider that everyone needs help with stress management at times and that it’s ok to ask for help when you need it.
Elaine Lopis
Psychologist
Located in Rose Bay / Eastern Suburbs
43 Onslow Street
Rose Bay, Sydney, NSW 2029
Telephone: 0411 098 583
Tuesday 1 – 5 pm, Wednesday 9 – 1pm, Thursday 9 – 12 pm, 4 – 5 pm