We all experience stress from time to time.  There are many things that can cause stress such as work issues, financial difficulties, and relationship problems.A little stress can actually help with motivation and enable us to perform better.  However becoming over stressed or chronically stressed can have the opposite effect.

Our body reacts to stress by producing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.  These hormones cause physical changes in the body which result in what is commonly known as the Fight or Flight response, which enables us to react quickly and effectively to the stressful situation. However if we experience high levels of stress over a prolonged period, then this can have a negative effect on our physical and mental health. Chronic stress can increase risk of headaches and other aches and pains, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, and suppressed immune functioning.

Psychological therapy can assist in two ways: by helping you to work out ways to minimise the things in your life causing you stress, and by helping you to improve the way you manage stress. This includes learning calming skills such as breathing, relaxation, and mindfulness, as well as techniques to address unhelpful thinking and behaviours that may be contributing to the experience of stress.