Stress Management & Therapy in Calgary

Stress

Do you feel stressed ALL THE TIME? Is stress starting to weigh you down and wear you out? Has stress become your new normal?

Stress is an inevitable part of life. From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to bed, our days can be filled with a multitude of stressors. Anything from dealing with minor daily hassles—like traffic, pending deadlines, arguments with loved ones or colleagues, unpaid bills, and petty frustrations— to major life events such as trauma, death, illness, financial setback, unemployment, or divorce— can add up and contribute to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, tension and worry.

What is Stress?

Stress is the body’s natural response to any real or perceived threat. It is simply put, any physical, mental or emotional strain or demand that occurs when faced with a novel, unpredictable, or threatening situation. When your mind thinks it is under threat, your nervous system releases large quantities of stress hormones that trigger your ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response and prepare you for physical action. Your heart pounds, your blood pressure rises, your muscles tense up, you breathe rapidly, you sweat, and you may feel sick to your stomach. Alternatively, you might feel numb, dissociate and shut down. In addition to your physiological response, you react with feelings and emotions, such as fear, anxiety, anger and sadness. After your body has registered the stress response you usually return to a calm state. It’s common to experience stress, however, chronic stress can lead to adverse physical, mental and psychological outcomes.