Stress Management in Maryland
Everyone encounters stress during their lives at one point—never-ending bills, demanding schedules, work, and family responsibilities—and that can make stress seem inescapable and uncontrollable. Stress management skills are designed to help a person take control of their lifestyle, thoughts, and emotions and teach them healthy ways to cope with their problems.
Stress - the Good and the Bad
The first step in stress management is recognizing that not all stress is bad for you! Stress is what inspires motivation and change. It helps us prioritize and set goals. For instance, even though marriage is a happy occasion, it is also a stressful change. Your subconscious does not know the difference between good stress and bad stress. It just knows STRESS! The word "therapy" literally means "to make the subconscious conscious so it can be intentionally managed". Identifying which of your stressors are the helpful kind and the unhelpful kind is very important. While this sounds fairly easy, chronic stress can be complicated, and most people don’t realize how their thinking and behavioral habits contribute to their "bad" stress.
Strategies for Stress Management
Once you’ve found what causes your stress, and which stress is good and which stress is bad, focus on what you can control. Eliminate realistic stressors and develop consistent de-stressing habits. Instead of watching TV or responding to texts in bed after work - take a walk, or read a book. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough quality sleep will ease feelings of stress and help you relax. Drink lots of water. The stress hormone, cortisol, protects your organs from damage during times of stress. But if it builds up, it needs help to get flushed out. Drinking plenty of water, stretching, taichi, massage, and yoga are found to be very helpful.
Also, make a conscious effort to set aside time for yourself and for relaxation. Alone time can be whatever you need it to be. Some people like doing activities, but you can also treat yourself to something simple, like taking a bubble bath, listening to music, or watching a funny movie.
Finally, don’t feel like you have to solve your stress alone. Reach out to your family and friends or to a therapist who can teach you new ways to reduce and manage stress. Whether you need help with a problem or just need someone to listen, find someone who will be there to positively reinforce and support you. If stress becomes chronic, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a therapist.
To book a consultation today for Stress Management with a therapist at Tau Counseling,
Please use the Chat feature, or call our 24/7 receptionist at 443-266-8455.
Service areas cover the entire state of Maryland, DC, and Virginia via telehealth
including Frederick, Baltimore, Timonium, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Bel Air, Frostburg, and more
