The Stress Response is a biological and psychological response experienced on encountering a threat that we feel we do not have the resources to deal with.  A certain amount of stress is useful and normal. It’s our body giving us the boost of energy we need to feel energized, alert and engaged in life and its challenges. Our brains and bodies are not designed however to be in stress mode all of the time. So when our stress symptoms get overworked, we are at increased risk for various mental and physical health problems. Chronic stress includes the following symptoms:

  • Feeling depressed, irritable, angry, anxious or overwhelmed
  • Fatigue
  • Lack of interest or motivation
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Tension
  • Trouble sleeping

When we can’t change a stressor we need to cope and reduce its impact. Building resilience is one such coping method. How do we build resilience?

  • Positive self-talk. Repeatedly telling ourselves that we are strong and able to cope especially in the face of a stressor that we cannot change, can help us remain confident and calm.
  • Self-care. Getting enough sleep, eating well, being physically active, making time for activities that we enjoy and avoiding the overuse of alcohol and drugs will improve our ability to better tolerate stress and recover more effectively
  • Relaxation techniques: learning deep breathing techniques, mindfulness, humour, playing music, think forward (imagining a future scene when things look and feel different), break away and distract yourself.
  • Seek help

Human beings have a tendency to ruminate more on bad experiences than positive ones. It is an evolutionary adaptation that helps us avoid danger and react quickly in times of crisis. But constant negativity can get in the way of happiness and add to our stress and worry level and ultimately damage our health.

Alter, Stuckler & Associates are a team of registered psychologists and a social worker that provide compassionate psychological care. We have provided service to individuals, couples and families from Thornhill, Markham, Vaughan and throughout the Greater Toronto Area for more than 30 years. Have a question for our team? Contact us today.