Life is a glorious and complicated affair. We might be grateful to wake up each morning, but we can feel less appreciation for the struggles we encounter in the course of daily life – those that occur within (including in our physical bodies), and those in the larger world.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom”
The good news is that all of us possess some measure of control – if not to eliminate the stressful experiences we encounter in daily life, then at least to choose how we respond to them as they occur. We can learn to engage more skillfully in our lives, and with others. And through healthy lifestyle behaviors, we can minimize the negative impact that stress has upon mind/body health. An effective stress management plan is built like the stones show in this picture: one at a time, with adjustments as needed.
Individual consultations and sessions: Engage in an assessment of current stressors, strengths, and supports; identify your resiliency and self-compassion scores; develop and/or improve your stress management plan; practice effective skills and strategies; identify and tackle obstacles that interfere with long-term success. Average length: 4-8 sessions, most insurance plans accepted
Groups and classes: Group settings are an great way to learn stress management skills and strategies, while learning from the experiences of others. Participate in an upcoming group or class at a convenient location near you. Check back soon for 2018 dates!
Workplace training: Would your employees benefit from a basic stress management course, drawing upon empirically-supported principles and designed to increase productivity, work/life balance, life satisfaction, and well-being? Reduced fees available for social service and non-profit organizations. Greater Portland-metropolitan area.
Additional resources
From the American Psychological Center: How stress affects your health, Stress effects on the body, Too stressed to sleep, Holiday stress resource center, Managing stress related to political change
From Mindful.org: Nine ways mindfulness reduces stress, Being with stressful moments rather than avoiding them, How to fight stress with empathy
The American Heart Association: Stress Management
Kaiser Permanente: Stress Management (with interactive tool)
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (at the Center for Mindfulness, UMASS Medical School)
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in the Portland area: upcoming classes taught by credentialed instructors
Mindfulness is on our mind (video and other resources from the Center for Mindfulness, UC San Diego)
