Stress is a part of our day-to-day lives. Some situations trigger stress at work or home. Such situations are the result of pressure or difficult situations. Identifying the causes of stress can be very beneficial to managing it. You must seek the needed help to prevent things from escalating. Most people are not aware of the importance of stress management as it is very important for one’s well-being. People usually take stress and anxiety for granted.
What is Stress Management?
Stress management refers to a set of techniques that are put together to cope with stress. Stress management targets stress triggers and take actions to reduce anxiety effects. Stress management is very important to consider as a constant build-up of negative emotions can lead to frustration and mental health problems.
Therapies for Managing Stress
No doubt, stress is an intrinsic part of everyday life. Stress manifests itself in a variety of ways like body aches, inability to sleep, and worry. Therefore, the importance of stress management cannot be neglected as the focus and productivity of an individual is directly linked to it.
Certain therapies are effective in equipping you with strategies to manage stress better. Below are therapies that can be employed for managing stress and meeting other mental health needs:
- Behavioural Therapy
This therapy plays a very important role in changing one’s behaviour. Its principal point of focus is your actions. According to behavioural therapy, an individual’s future can be predicted based on its past experiences. According to it, you can change your behavioural responses to stress. This helps to sidestep any impending stress. The therapy is effective against long-term generators of stress. These are phobias, attention-deficit hyperactivity, and anxiety.
- Group Therapy
This works best in a situation where you are trying to cope with a very stressful occurrence. This could be the loss of a loved one, divorce, a natural disaster, or a terrible accident. In such a situation, a well-trained therapist will lead such sessions. In such a group setting, you get to feel empowered and the warmth of people around you.
- Psychodynamic Therapy
This therapy helps you to recognize thought patterns that may dictate behavioural reactions. This is effective on a long-term basis. It is the best option for handling stress which is a result of long-standing issues.
- Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a technique employed for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). It is also effective for the treatment of anxiety, and phobias. Exposure therapy is very effective in chronic stress. Exposure therapy exposes patients to the triggers that cause this anxiety. The therapists do this in an attempt to help the patients overcome their anxiety due to the exposure.
This is also called prolonged exposure therapy because of the duration of exposure. After prolonged exposure, patients gradually overcome their fears and anxiety. The old triggers become less effective.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a therapy that centres on addressing behaviours and thought patterns. A therapist helps patients in identifying what stresses them out. CBT studies the stressors and the cognitive behaviour of patients when anxious. Therapists do this to change cognitive behaviours, understand and regulate emotional responses. The end game is to help patients develop coping strategies to resolve anxiety issues.
This therapy is effective for either long-term or short-term basis. With this, CBT is appropriate for the treatment of chronic mental health conditions. CBT also aids people in getting through upsetting events or triggers of acute stress.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Many people find it difficult to accept the reality of their situation. This therapy guides people into accepting things the way they are. This brings people to the true reality of their situations. When people gain the courage to accept the things they cannot change, they live happier lives. The therapy also identifies key areas where patients can work to improve their reality.
Other Remedies That Are Also Effective
Apart from the above-mentioned therapies, below are tips for stress management:
- Map Out Time to Relax
Relaxing is one of the tips for stress management. Make a list of the relaxing activities you enjoy. Create time to take part in these activities for at least 15-20 minutes a day. This activity can be something as simple as reading a book, yoga stretches or taking a warm bath.
- CBD
This is another effective means of managing stress. A frequently asked question is how much CBD should I take? The amount of CBD to use depends on certain factors:
- The condition you intend to manage
- The concentration of CBD found in each capsule or pill,
- Your body weight, and body chemistry (The dosage your body can take to be effective).
Before you make use of CBD, the first thing to do is to seek a doctor’s recommendation. If you decide to try CBD without the consultation, use 20 to 40mg. If the quantity is not enough, you can gradually increase your dosage.
You can take CBD oil by adding a few drops to your food or drink.
People enjoy adding CBD oil to their beverages. You can also add the drops to your tongue before you swallow.
Apart from the above techniques, there are various other techniques to reduce stress and anxiety level. Managing stress is very important as it affects your family as well as professional life.
