What Causes Stress?

There are many stressors that trigger stress and its symptoms. Some stressors are positive and some are not. They range for starting a new job, or having a new baby, to the loss of a loved one, financial pressures, redundancy, organizational restructuring and relationship breakdowns. The important thing to remember is that everyone is different and how one person deals with a situation will be different to how another person deals with the same situation so it comes down to the individual and their coping mechanism and skills.

Possible Effects Of Stress...

• Heart attack • Hypertension • Stroke • Cancer	• Diabetes • Depression • Obesity • Eating disorders	• Irritable bowel syndrome • Memory loss • Autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus)	• Insomnia • Thyroid problems • Infertility
Below are just some signs and symptoms of stress. Do you have any of these signs or symptoms?
Intellectual symptoms: How stress can affect your mind		Emotional symptoms: How stress can make you feel
• Memory problems. • Difficulty making decisions. • Inability to concentrate. • Confusion. • Seeing only the negative. • Repetitive or racing thoughts. • Poor judgment. • Loss of objectivity. • Desire to escape or run away.		• Moody and hypersensitive. • Restlessness and anxiety. • Depression. • Anger and resentment. • Easily irritated and “on edge”. • Sense of being overwhelmed. • Lack of confidence. • Apathy. • Urge to laugh or cry at inappropriate times.
Physical symptoms: How stress can affect your body		Behavioral symptoms: How stress can affect your behavior
• Headaches. • Digestive problems. • Muscle tension and pain. • Sleep disturbances. • Fatigue. • Chest pain, irregular heartbeat. • High blood pressure. • Weight gain or loss. • Asthma or shortness of breath. • Skin problems. • Decreased sex drive.		• Eating more, or eating less. • Sleeping too much or too little. • Isolating yourself from others. • Neglecting your responsibilities. • Increasing alcohol and drug use. • Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing). • Teeth grinding or jaw clenching. • Overdoing activities such as exercising or shopping. • Losing your temper. • Overreacting to unexpected problems.

The 7 Outcomes Of This Stress Management Program Will Be:

1. How to identify stress in your life

2. Understand how stress affects your health, relationships, career and many other aspects of life.

3. How to clear negative thoughts and create positive thinking.

4. Goal setting techniques and overcoming challenges proceedures.

5. Practise specific techniques and meditations for stress release and management.

6. Begin to explore our true potential through guided meditations and

7. Discover your inner self

Meditation

Meditation Meditation is the practice of clearing the mind and enhances dream states, increases clarity and direction of purpose.

Meditation allows a focus of mind, so that it cannot blabber away on everything and anything it wants, and so is tamed.

In a meditative state the brainwaves slow down from the Alpha state to Theta state then to Delta state where you discover a deep awareness of the inner self. Endorphins are released naturally into the body and you feel really, really good. These endorphins also help’s build the body’s immune system.

Although positive changes are experienced immediately from meditation, many are gradual. You will experience a reduction in stress and tension, an overall improvement in health, and feelings of peacefulness. But meditation is not a wonder drug that relieves all ills overnight. It begins to sensitise you to problems at hand and maintain your energy level, so you are better able to deal with whatever is facing you. It gives you the eyes to see and the ears to hear, so you can see how you are getting out of life exactly what you feel you deserve - nothing less!

For more information on Meditation (link to meditation page)

Time:
6.30 - 7.30pm

Location:
Art of Health
113B Booth St
Annandale
(corner of Johnston St, above Chemist)

Please contact Lydia on 0410 327 665 to book your attendance