If you are like most active people, stress is part of your daily life. Stress can be beneficial, at times, to give us a boost to complete essential jobs; however, extreme stress can have dire health consequences, both physical and emotional. So what is the answer to managing career, family, and social responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed and making yourself sick, i.e., stressed out?
It’s important to get daily physical exercise and make time for relaxation to properly focus on the ‘daily grind’. A positive attitude keeps the things causing stress in your life in their proper perspective. Practice smiling and laughing to release endorphins and decrease excess cortisol and adrenaline levels. Smiling and laughing fools your nervous system into making you feel happy.
Eat healthy foods rather than sugary snacks, and consume fruit juice and lots of water instead of caffeine or alcohol. In other words, choose the things that will relieve stress rather than exacerbate stress. Talking to others and interacting with their problems can take your mind off your own. And always get a good night’s sleep. Getting enough sleep is essential to energizing your mind and body for the next day. Feeling tired when you wake in the morning may cause you to think irrationally, thus increasing your stress.
If you need help achieving a life unfettered by the stress present in most lives, some specialists are geared to help. Dr. Brian Sullivan is one such professional whose desire is to “work himself out of a job by helping people to the point where they no longer need his help”.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Brian Sullivan says, “…the simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management…Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun – plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head-on.”
As a result of his 25 years of experience as a psychologist, Dr. Sullivan founded Lifeworks, LLC. In this place, well-qualified professionals from various fields of specialty work together to take full advantage of their close relationships to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. He is dedicated to helping other professionals develop and thrive to serve the public in the most effective way possible.
His philosophy “to work himself out of a job by helping people reach a point at which they no longer need his help” has brought Lifeworks, LLC recognition in the community as an outstanding resource in Charleston and the surrounding areas. In addition to stress management, Lifeworks also offers Life Coaching, Family Therapy, Couples Counseling, and Grief Counseling.
