“Do not dwell in the past, Do not dream of the future, Concentrate the mind on the present moment” - Buddha
What is Stress? Stress is an internal response to an external factor or a situation that is perceived as a threat to our safety. It is a natural and automatic physical response that, within appropriate limits, helps us be more alert and focused so that we can manage the difficult circumstances. To be stressed some of the time is normal and even useful. However, the demands that life puts on us in our professional and personal life can generate chronic stress. Prolonged stress may impact on your eating and sleeping patterns, your mood, your capacity to concentrate and to make decisions. You may feel lonely, and maybe anxiety and depression may start creeping on you. If you let chronic stress remain untreated, health issues such as headaches, high blood pressure and elevated heart rate may develop.
What is anxiety? Anxiety is stress that continues after the stressor is gone. It is characterized by a pervasive unease, fear, and a sense of helplessness. As with stress, anxiety of itself is a normal human process. However, heightened anxiety can interfere with the running of normal life and become an issue.
If you suffer from chronic anxiety you may feel fatigue and restlessness, irritability, hypervigilance. Often, people suffering from anxiety will gradually restrain their range of activity in an attempt get the feeling under control, however this can progressively lead to depression as your world grows increasingly smaller.
Whether you are suffering from stress or anxiety, having an external and sympathetic person to talk to can provide great and fast relief. I offer a warm and compassionate space where you can freely express your feelings and thoughts about the issues in your life, knowing that what you share will remain confidential.
Often, people who suffer from stress and/or anxiety tend to think too much about the future and to mull over the past and feel powerless to direct their thoughts to more positive and fruitful directions. Mindfulness is an increasingly recognized practice that promotes focusing on the present and provides practical strategies to help people do so. The practice of mindfulness is an implicit and core aspect of Psychosynthesis, my primary modality as a counsellor, and a key component of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MBCBT) that I also use. I am therefore well equipped to help you develop the tools you need to effectively manage stress and anxiety in your daily life.
