Stress is the brain’s response to change and pressures. These demands on the brain can be positive or negative, short-term or long-term, real or perceived. We experience stress on our jobs, at school, looking for work, when we move, in relationships, when our body changes, when we are ill, or exposure to violence.
Different people respond to stress in various ways. Our bodies and mood respond to stress differently:
- Headaches
- Irritable mood and agitation
- Digestive problems
- The reproductive system can stop working normally
- Continued stress can trigger or exacerbate high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, or other illnesses
- Using alcohol or drugs to cope
Stress can damage your physical health and interfere with your emotional well-being. Counseling can help find ways to understand triggers and responses we have to stress, and utilize techniques to diffuse the effects of stress.