Stress

Stress is a natural reaction to pressure or demands.  Our limbic system triggers adrenaline and cortisol ready for a “fight or flight” response.  Stress can be Acute, or short term, as a result of a specific incident.   It an be Episodic Acute, with frequent bouts of stress interspersed with episodes of calm, and it can be Chronic long term, leading to mental exhaustion and health issues.   A small amount of stress – known as Eustress – can help with motivation and focus, but increased or longer lasting stress needs to be addressed.

Symptoms can be physical (such as anxiety, headaches, chest pain, sexual issues, or tense muscles), emotional or behavioural (such as irritability, changes in sleep routine or increased dependency on alcohol) or mental (difficulty with focus or cognition).

Long term effects of stress can lead to issues such as anxiety, depression, burnout and cardiovascular disease.

My solution-focused approach can help with quietening the limbic system, while improving sleep routines, confidence, emotional regulation and focus.

Takeaway Tip

Physical exercise will release feel-good brain chemicals including endorphins and serotonin, and can also help with increased focus.