Family Counseling – Life Skills Unlimited

Stress is identified as a physical, mental, or emotional response to changes or challenges or pressures that are often triggered when a situation exceeds our perceived ability to cope. It activates a fight or flight response that may increase heart rate, muscle tension, or other bodily systems that change to attempt to handle the threats.

Stressors can include work, financial problems, relationships, or other major changes in your life. If stress is unmanaged, it may lead to physical health issues such as headaches, fatigue, digestive issues and a weakened immune system. Stress may also create mental and emotional problems such as irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and feeling overwhelmed.

Defined briefly: Stress is a physical and emotional reaction experienced when a person encounters challenges in life that they believe are unsolvable.

We know that thoughts lead to feelings that lead to outward behaviors. Stop and ask yourself: What is the obvious problem in this situation? Then ask: What are my options for solving this problem? Now you can detach yourself from the thoughts of fear that are creating overwhelming emotions. You now have a choice of rational problem solving in the present moment or staying in the past with the pain.

As John Milton clearly stated: “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.”

“It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Epictetus

Frequently we allow other people’s behaviors to create stress in our lives rather than accepting that their behavior is a product of their beliefs about themselves. Stop giving over your mind to someone else. Their past belongs to them, and it is their job to deal with it. You are allowing them to throw their history onto you. Stop – think clearly.

If you are the one that misspoke and created the issue, learn to stop before you speak and ask: Is what I am saying true? Is it necessary currently? Is it kind?  You are entitled to your opinion; however, you are not entitled to tell others what to think.

Stress is created when I imagine it is my job to make situations function based on my beliefs. “True power is not in controlling others, but in mastering oneself.” Marcus Aurelius

Remember:  Stop – Think Clearly – Problem Solve.

Learn Cognitive Behavioral Skills to:

Communicate Effectively

Problem Solve

Team Play/Work