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| Internal Sources of Stress |
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There are two types of stress - the positive "eustress" and the negative "distress." Frankly, the body doesn't much care how it is labeled, stress is stress, and the body reacts with the same response - an outpouring of adrenaline (a stimulant hormone) into the bloodstream. This stress-response is commonly called the "fight or flight response" putting the body on high alert to deal with the perceived threat (angry boss, difficult test, car accident, etc.) This ability of ours needs to be appreciated. The problem comes when its abused - when demands we place on ourselves taxes this autonomic system placing undo pressure on our internal organs. Chronic stress is linked to 70% of illnesses!
So where does the stress come from? This may seem like a silly question. You can name many sources - work, relationships, environmental factors, life events, daily annoyances. But, here is something you may not have thought about. How about the internal sources?
Internal stressors include:
Lifestyle choices: caffeine, not enough sleep, overloaded schedule.
Negative self-talk: pessimistic thinking, self- criticism, over-analyzing.
Mind traps: unrealistic expectations, taking things personally, all-or-nothing thinking, exaggerating, rigid thinking.
Stressful personality traits: Type A, perfectionist, workaholic, pleaser.
But here's the good news -- if we create or compound our stress
we also have the ability to diminish it!
So this month ask yourself~
How does stress impact my life? My body?
What am I going to do differently to take care of myself - psychologically, physically, spiritually?
Am I worth it?
I hope each of you responds to the last one with a resounding "YES". Come on in and lets review all your options in restoring peace, health, and joy in your life.
By Lisa Keutman, LCSW, holistic psychotherapist and wellness coach.
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