Find me at www.balance-psychotherapy.org

De-Mystifying Stress: How to Turn It into Your Ally

Forget everything you thought about stress being the enemy! This session flips the script, showing you how stress can actually be a valuable tool for growth. The key lies in understanding the different types of stress and finding ways to create balance.

Imagine stress as a spectrum. On one end, you have a safe, stimulating challenge. This is the kind of stress that gets your dopamine pumping and motivates you to achieve your goals. Think of that deadline that pushes you to produce your best work, or a challenging hike that leaves you feeling invigorated.

Now, on the other end of the spectrum, we have chronic, overwhelming stress. This is the kind that drains your energy, zaps your joy, and can even lead to health problems. Nobody enjoys feeling constantly on edge, right?

The goal is to find the sweet spot in the middle - a place where you can harness the good stress for motivation and growth, while keeping the bad stress at bay. So, how do we do that?

Just like a superhero needs a secret lair, you need a safe space to feel calm and grounded. This can be a physical space, like your favourite park or a cosy corner in your home. Or, it can be a feeling of connection and support you get from a community or loved ones.

Instead of dreading challenges, view them as opportunities to learn and grow. Think of them as stepping stones to a goal you're excited about. This shift in perspective can make a big difference in how you experience stress.

World throws curveballs, and some stress is simply unavoidable (we're looking at you, car troubles and surprise bills!). While you can't control everything, you can control how you react. Focusing on healthy habits like sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet gives your body the tools it needs to handle stress. Learning to say "no" and avoiding catastrophizing also helps keep things manageable.

Techniques like meditation and "tapping" (a blend of EMDR and acupressure) can be powerful allies in managing stress and processing emotions. These practices can help you work through underlying fears and limiting beliefs that might be fuelling your stress response.

Remember: Stress is a natural part of life. By creating a sense of safety, reframing challenges, and developing healthy coping mechanisms, you can transform stress from a foe into a force for positive change. So, the next time you feel stressed, embrace it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and become the best version of yourself!

Your Secret: The Life that Lives you has your back!