Topic key points
- Stress is one of the most common challenges clients will struggle with, and it often becomes more pronounced during periods of transition.
- Stress is understood as feeling overwhelmed, wound-up, tense and worried when we face challenging situations.
- While stress if often thought of as a negative experience, not all stress is bad. As a coach, you are able to help clients understand the difference between helpful and unhelpful stress and develop strategies to decrease the impact of negative stress on their health and life.
Introduction to Topic
There are different types of stress:
- Acute stress is more time-bound and often is linked to certain events or situations (sitting an exam, a work deadline). Mild acute stress can be beneficial in helping the person prepare and perform. However, if the stress is significant or extreme, it can negatively impact performance and health.
- Chronic stress is stress that continues for a long period of time. Chronic stress can occur in many circumstances including over-demanding workplaces, financial difficulties, relationship problems or living in an unsafe environment. Sometimes chronic stress can result from multiple stressors happening concurrently and/or simultaneously.
There are many symptoms of stress, but some common ones include
- Physical symptoms: heart racing, fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, muscle aches, weakened immune system, high blood pressure
- Psychological symptoms: worry, fear, anger, irritability, anxiety, memory challenges, concentration difficulties, feeling overwhelmed
- Many symptoms of stress are related to changes that occur because of the fight, flight and freeze response
Fortunately, there are many things that can help manage stress effectively including
- Boundary setting and decreasing the amount of stressors
- Using cognitive strategies to reframe perception of the stressors and/or ability to cope
- Practical skill development to help manage stressors, including communication, time management and problem-solving skills
- Relaxation strategies to help people decrease the stress response
- Mindfulness skills to help decrease the impact of stressful symptoms and develop the ability to be more present
- Going back to the basics of sleep, diet and exercise
Included resources
- Thinking Traps Resource (Transitioning Well)
- Window of tolerance (Transitioning Well)
- APS understanding and managing stress
- Beyond Blue Guide to managing stress
- Black Dog Institute tips for avoiding harmful stress
- SafeWork NSW guide to stress
- Managers guide to preventing workplace stress
- Support from supervisors and/or co-workers regarding workplace stress
Copy for Clients
As discussed in session, stress is an extremely common and challenging experience for many people. Included in this email are some resources that may help you understand and manage stress.