It's that time of year again, where things get busier and busier with no end in sight. I talked to Nancy Tomanek, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with Solutions Counseling in St. Michael, MN about how therapists might be able to help with this thing we call stress. Here's what she had to say:
Why do we even have this stressed out feeling?
Stress is unavoidable in our everyday lives and can be either a positive or a negative. Stress can save your life, help you get a promotion, or if stress becomes too overwhelming, it can lead to physical and mental health problems. Stress is our body’s reactions to the demands of life. Stressors are events or conditions in your environment that may cause unrest, irritability, and frustrations. Understanding the source of your stress is critical for stress management.
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What are some common sources of stress?
Stress usually comes from the daily pressures and expectations in life; running late for an appointment, being disappointed, distracted, or having one of those days where nothing goes as planned. Mounting financial troubles, pressures at work, parenting demands, or relationship problems also contribute to increasing stress level.
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What are some common symptoms of stress?
Symptoms of stress vary from person to person. Some people become irritable or short-tempered, impatient, tearful, or exhausted. Others have a tendency to hide the stress and as a result, begin to experience somatic, or physical, symptoms. These may include, but are not limited to, fatigue, poor sleep, headaches, back and neck tension or pain, stomach problems, or physically exhausted and more susceptible to cold and flu bugs. However, if you are losing sleep on a regular basis, your ability to perform on the job is suffering, you experience decreased enjoyment in your favorite activities, or you are withdrawing from those you love; it may be more than “just little stress.” These are indicators that life may be too stressful or that your ability to manage stress is waning.
What are the types of stress?
Stress can be internal or external. External stress comes from events, people, relationships, or circumstances in our environment. Sometimes these external sources of stress are beyond our control. Internal stress comes from the beliefs, feelings, reactions, and attitudes we experience. Internal stress is either increased or decreased based on how we view situations, insurmountable or feasible, and how we are feeling, alone or supported. Both internal and external stress can have a significant impact on our physical and mental health and need to be managed.
What can I do to manage my stress?
When daily functioning becomes difficult due to the stressors in our life, it is time to do something. There are many changes we can make on our own; decrease distractions, avoid over-scheduling, increase sleep and exercise, or make a few beneficial lifestyle adjustments. When the symptoms of stress persist or increase, it may be time to consider seeking professional help. Therapy should not be viewed as an admission of defeat, “I can’t do it myself” or “I failed.” Therapists are trained to come along side you and offer professional support and options to improve your quality of life. The goal of therapy is to make healthy changes that benefit you and your family.
Where do I get more information?
For more information on daily stress and management strategies, visit Nancy Tomanek and the staff from Solutions Counseling at the Albertville Women’s Expo on Saturday November 9, 2013 from 9 – 12.
For more information on stress visit the Mayo Clinic website at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-management/MY00435/TAB=indepth
Nancy Tomanek MA, LMFT
Nancy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) at Solutions Counseling in St. Michael, MN. She provides services for individuals, couples, and family groups. She is skilled at addressing issues on domestic violence, co-dependency, depression, anxiety, parenting problems, life transitions, as well as grief and loss issues. Nancy fosters an environment of encouragement and empowerment for her clients. She believes in the power of support and encouragement that can be nurtured in the therapeutic relationship and used to infuse others with the courage to change. Nancy has diverse therapy experience including working with at risk youth in the school setting, providing in-home therapy services that focus on family structure as a whole, and practicing in an outpatient community based mental health center.
