Stress Counseling – Therapists and Counselors in Greenville, SC
According to researchers, stress may be killing you. The percentage of Americans who feels stressed out is up from just five years ago – which was up from the preceding five years. In a recent study, 77% of the people surveyed experience physical symptoms of stress. Slightly lower, but no less significant, 73% of those surveyed experience psychological symptoms of stress. More than 30% reported that they live with extreme stress. Maybe most shocking is the fact that nearly 50% reported that their stress levels have increased for more than five years.
These facts are . . . stressful!
“People are disturbed not by a thing, but by their perception of a thing.” — Epictetus
What is stress?
Stress is a natural response to a threat or danger. When your body senses this danger, even if it’s not real, it creates a response that’s known as “fight-or-flight.” This response can protect you by keeping you energized and alert. Some stress is good. But it can also hurt you if your body stays in a state of high alert. It can raise your blood pressure, adding “stress” on your heart. Stress can diminish your ability to rest, leaving you unable to perform at your best. It can weaken your immune system, cause digestive issues, make you irritable, and reduce your ability to stay focused at home and work.
What causes stress?
Stress is caused by many things. The exact cause of it varies between people, and the severity is directly impacted by the circumstances in their lives. While it’s difficult to make a specific statement regarding where stress comes from, there are several common factors that increase the opportunity for stress to occur, such as:
- Pressure at work
- Financial troubles
- Health issues
- Lack of sleep
- Unhealthy relationships
- Poor nutrition
The physical effects of stress
Physical side effects of stress include:
- Restlessness
- Increased headaches
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Grinding teeth
- Loss of sexual interest
- Changes in appetite
- Weight gain/loss
- Increased alcohol consumption or tobacco use
- Substance abuse
The psychological effects of stress
The psychological, or emotional, side effects of stress include:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Intense shifts in mood
- Nervousness
- Anger outbursts
- Lack of focus
- Social withdrawal
- Increase in anxiety
If any of these side effects describe your current situation, you know that this is no way to live. Stress has had a strong hold on your life for far too long, but it’s time to take back control of your life. You can learn to overcome it. You can be stress-free once again. You deserve to be happy and healthy once more – maybe for the first time!
Thriveworks Stress Counseling of Greenville can help. We provide therapy for stress management in a safe, comfortable, and private setting. Our professional stress counselors will work with you to determine the cause for your stress and they will help you develop an answer for stress the next time it calls. (864) 952-4048
You’ve lived with stress long enough. It’s time to find a new way to cope with it, it’s time for a new perspective on life. Begin a relationship with a stress therapist at Thriveworks Stress counseling of Greenville today. We are open at convenient times, both day and night. We accept most major insurance, so no need to “stress” about the out-of-pocket cost of therapy. We’re ready to meet with you. We don’t believe you that you should have to wait to get help, so we offer appointment times in 48 hours or less. Call us today to get started. (864) 952-4048