Stress Q&A

What is stress?

Stress describes a feeling of physical or emotional tension that can stem from certain events or thoughts you have. Stress is how your body reacts to challenges and is beneficial for protecting you from harm.

However, if you’re frequently under too much stress, it can have a negative impact on your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

Common causes of chronic stress include:

• Work

• Poor health

• Relationships

• Financial issues

• Marriage conflicts

There are also a wide variety of factors in your environment that can cause chronic stress.

If left untreated, chronic stress can cause long-term health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. It can also cause mental health problems like depression and anxiety.

When should I seek help for stress?

Stress affects everyone differently, and some people have a higher tolerance for stress than others. 

Some common warning signs that you’re under too much stress include:

• Headaches

• Jaw and neck pain

• Lack of energy

• Digestive issues

• Unexplained weight changes

• Sleep problems

You might also be under too much stress if you begin using or abusing drugs or alcohol to help you relax.

Our providers at Healthy Minds NYC recommend that you seek treatment as soon as you can when stress is becoming too much to manage on your own. It’s especially important that you schedule an appointment if you experience a racing heart or panic attacks, or you’re not able to meet your responsibilities at home or at work because of too much stress.

What treatments are available for stress?

Our team at Healthy Minds NYC offers comprehensive, personalized services to help you get your stress under control and prevent chronic stress-related health issues.

Psychotherapy is a highly effective way to explore the actors that are causing stress in your life. Your provider works closely with you to uncover your stress triggers and can provide you with resources that help you reduce existing stress and avoid additional triggers.

Our therapy team can also help you learn techniques like breathing exercises to help you relax when you’re stressed. We can recommend daily exercise, diet changes, and lifestyle modifications to promote stress reduction and good health.

You can meet with the team in the office or through a secure telepsychiatry platform to ensure you have the help you need when you need it most.

Learn more about options for managing stress by booking a consultation online today.