Why We Worry
Scholars say that it is impossible to be anxious if we are thinking about what is going on right now, in the present.  They say that anxiety comes from thoughts about the past and the future.  Anxiety is a healthy response to perceived danger about the future (and the past because it influences the future).  When we worry or become anxious, we try and figure out ways to keep danger away or how to prepare for the worst.  Read More

SAY “YES” TO PAIN!

WRONG:  The best remedy for getting over a painful experience is to ignore it or to do something that will get your mind off of it.  Read More

Guided Imagery with Music:  Stress Meditation 

Music guided imagery sessions are helpful in providing relaxation, distress, identifying unconscious processes, and in the resolution of problems. Music listening combined with meditation and relaxation exercises has been shown to reduce anxiety levels.  Relaxation inhibits thoughts and emotions.Read More

 EVERY DAY STRESS WILL INTERFERE WITH SEXUAL ACTIVITY

A recent study in the Journal of Family Psychology found that daily external stressors will influence the amount of sex you have. Previous studies have identified a connection between overall stress and sexuality, but this is the first study to investigate daily stressors and their impact on sexuality. Read More

LOWER STRESS BY KNOWING WHAT PLEASURES YOU

Pleasure therapy is all about getting to know yourself – your likes and dislikes – and getting in touch with your body. Studies have shown that self-perception will determine the impact of stress. Scholars argue that if you know yourself well, you will be better able to self-regulate when stressors hit.Read More

A Stress Diary:  Understand the Stress in Your Life

I’m a big fan of journaling because it soothes painful thoughts and emotions. Thoughts are expanded upon and reframed through journaling and feelings are expressed. If you are feeling really stressed out try starting a stress diary. If nothing else it will give you self-understanding and validation.  Read More 

Stress, The Immune System, and Pleasure

Studies have shown that stress debilitates the immune system. Researchers report that hormones (e.g. cortisol) that weaken the immune system are produced during stressful experiences. Worse yet, if your stress levels remain high over a long period of time, you may be prone to some pretty serious physical and emotional illnesses (cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, panic).  Read More

BEWARE!  STRESS SIGNS

The Bad In Stress Management Exercises

Most articles on stress management prescribe meditation, relaxation exercises, organizing time and surroundings, decreasing consumption of drugs, exercise, and humor as stress relievers. The reality is that the list should be much longer than this. The point is not what you do, but whether you enjoy what you are doing. In other words, it is the enjoyment or pleasure in an activity that decreases stress and not the activity in itself.  Read More