Stress is a normal response to events that make you feel threatened or cause you to feel out of balance. Stress itself, isn't always a bad thing, although it gets a lot of bad press. It can help you to meet deadlines, motivate you, keep you alert and focused or make sure you get somewhere on time. It is a fundamental part of being human. Our stress responses provide us with the 'fight or flight' reaction which could end up saving your life in an emergency situation.
In fact, we would find it hard to survive without stress, it is the management of stress that is crucial. 
What are some of the benefits of stress reduction?
- Better immune function
- Less illnesses and physical complaints
- More energy
- Feeling more relaxed
- Sleeping better
- Better digestion
- Calmer mood
- More focused, more positive
With our stressed and ever-increasing fast-paced lifestyle, our bodies are pumping out cortisol almost constantly. Cortisol is a steroid hormone released in response to circumstances like getting up in the morning, exercising and accute stress.
Because your body does not have the ability to tell the difference between physical and psychological threats, it is constantly reacting just the same as it would to a life threatening situation
If stress is not managed and goes beyond a certain point or is long-term, then your body is saturated with elevated levels of cortisol, and this has an adverse affect on our health. Too much cortisol and your body starts to suffer greatly with weight management problems, immune function and much more - see the body's stress response.
We all know something about stress. It is a common condition, not always bad, but usually unwanted, unpleasant and undesirable. It can , and often does, undermine people's health, personal well being and relationships. Stress is also individual, showing up in particular ways for each person.
Stress Management and the Client
Managing stress is difficult to do alone, and I know in my case, it actually caused me more. I once was referred to a group therapy stress management class, I thought, great! This will help! Two sessions of listening to everyone else, and being amongst an unbalanced group in terms of their needs, was very stressful. I had to travel half an hour to spend an hour listening to why one lady is unable to get to the shop on a Wednesday. The group facilitator had no idea how to guide the sessions and I actually became anxious about going so I stopped.
Now, this is a particularly unlucky set of circumstances for me but I can imagine it happens to people all of the time. All I can say from the aspect of the client is that personal empowerment and managing stress yourself is very important but it needs to be guided and managed by the practitioner too. Teach the man to fish and he'll eat forever.
As a practitioner, you'll be dealing with more stress cases everyday, and it looks to be on the increase. With your busy schedule, wouldn't it be great to have a comprehensive stress management resource that made your life less stressful whilst empowering your client to self-manage and deal with their stress...?
MasterStress
A new and essential resource for working with
clients suffering from stress
By Dr Roy Bailey
MasterStress is a resource that, as a client, I would definitely appreciate a therapist working on with me. Dr Roy Bailey has truly mastered the point of giving the power back to the client in this comprehensive and easy to understand book designed to suit busy professionals. MasterStress provides a clear understanding of the causes of stress together with detailed descriptions of stress management interventions.
It contains 40 activities with photocopiable handouts that help clients to identify and understand stress, they will also learn how to manage unwanted stress in their lives and relationships. The handouts can be revisited by the client whenever some reinforcement of their power to overcome stress is needed again.
This flexible resource will enable practitioners to:
- select the most appropriate stress assessment and stress management interventions
- introduce effective personal stress management
- empower those who are stressed to become self-managing and, through their own efforts, deal with their stress
The purpose of each activity is outlined, the resources required are listed and there are full explanations of how the activities should be conducted.
Here are some sample pages from the book:
Click here to order MasterStress
£39.99
The Body’s Stress Response
When you perceive a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones rouse the body for emergency action.
Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus – preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand.
Elevated cortisol in your body can cause:
- Blood Sugar Imbalance and Diabetes
- Weight Gain and Obesity
- Immune System Suppression
- Gastrointestinal Problems
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Fertility Problems
- Other Issues Long-term stress and elevated cortisol may also be linked to insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, thyroid disorders, dementia, depression, and other conditions
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