Psychotherapy & Stress Management
We all know the devastating impact of too much stress. Our health, our productivity and our relationships all pay the toll if we let the pressure build up. But there appears to be a myth circulating that stress must be avoided at all costs. I disagree. As with most things, moderation is the key. In fact, research shows that a little stress is not only a good thing but an essential part of a well balanced life.
Imagine for a minute a life completely free of pressure: lying about in the sun, sipping piña coladas on the beach, all without a care in the world. How wonderful would that would be! A few weeks off the clock sounds pretty good in contrast to the hectic lives most of us live. But imagine such a life lasting months…and then years…always the same routine….
The down side is that a life without stress is also life without change. Avoiding stress means avoiding challenges or daring to try something new. “What they don’t tell you John, is that however attractive it may appear on the surface, a life of stagnant routine is just as deadly as one with too much stress.” In fact, it is often the very routines we establish to avoiding rocking the boat that turn out to be the biggest obstacles to personal growth.
If doing the same thing over and over has got you running in circles, it won’t be enough to just stop running. Sometimes what’s needed most is the courage to try a different rout. Helping clients along a road less traveled is what psychotherapy is all about. Learning to work with stress in moderation, maximizing the good and leaving the bad is part of a well balanced life. If you can’t find that balance break the mould and ask for guidance.
If you or someone you know is suffering from stress related problems, Jason Phelps is a psychotherapist in Montreal that can help.