
Psychotherapy on Harley Street, London
Counselling for Stress and Anxiety
Hypnotherapy on Harley Street
Depression Counselling on Harley Street
Bereavement Counselling
Art Therapy
Treatment for Eating Disorders
Anorexia Treatment
Overeating Counselling
Bulimia Treatment
Addiction Counselling
Sex Addiction
E.M.D.R.
Executive Coaching
Stress and anxiety are conditions that we hear about often nowadays. People blame the rise in these conditions on everything, from social media to the modern workplace, and even to the political climate. The truth is that the reason could be all of these or none of these, dependent on the person experiencing it. What is stressful for one person might not even register as a concern to someone else. It’s all about an individual, and the level of stress you experience depends on your support network, sense of control, outlook, preparation, and your ability to manage your emotions.
What is stress?
Stress is a completely
natural response to situations that put mental or emotional pressure on us. In
the same way that too much exercise might put physical stress on your body,
certain situations like the death of a loved one or a looming work deadline,
can put pressure on your mind.
In the short term, stress
can help you meet challenges by focusing your attention on a goal, like passing
an exam. Nonetheless, at some point, stress begins to hinder your success and
cause real damage to your relationships, productivity, mood, and even physical
health.
Typical symptoms
• Sleep problems
• Pain without a physical source
• Low concentration or memory retention
• Negative thoughts
• Depression
• Irritability
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Isolation
• Loss of sex drive
• Frequent colds
• Withdrawing from others
• Eating more/less than usual
Despite all these, it is
common for sufferers to delay treatment. For one thing, there is still, sadly,
a lot of stigma surrounding seeking treatment for stress and other mental
health issues. In addition, if you’ve been suffering from stress and
experiencing these symptoms for some time, it ends up becoming a part of your everyday life.
How can I reduce stress by
myself?
If you’re looking to reduce
your stress levels by yourself, there are many ways to de-stress, with most
involving taking a break from the stressful situation to focus on things that
make you happy. This might be something small, like watching a favourite movie
in the evening or ordering your favourite takeout food, or it could be
something bigger, like taking a holiday.
Obviously, it’s not always
possible to take a real break from the stress, but if you can cash in some
holiday at work, or get respite care for the person you look after, then you
may find the helping to clear your mind and allowing you to relax.
If you can’t do that, or you
want something to help manage your stress on a daily basis, then here are ways
to de-stress that you can incorporate into your everyday life:
• Exercise
• Eat healthy foods
• Create a bedtime routine that works for you
• Try meditation with a guided tutorial
• Phone a friend
• Write down your feelings
• Learn a new skill
• Volunteer
• Set small targets
• Focus on time management to help you achieve your tasks
• Plan ahead of situations that you know will be stressful,
i.e. a hospital appointment
Of course, you may find that
you are unable to manage your stress levels alone, or with the help of friends
and family. There is no shame in needing extra support from a professional.
What does a stress
counsellor do?
A stress counsellor will let
you talk about the reasons you are feeling stressed, if you know them, uncover
hidden trauma, and provide a non-judgemental sounding board. Talking alone can
help relieve stress, but a trained counsellor can also help you find ways to
manage, or relieve the stress that work for you.
This is possibly the most
important role of a counsellor.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a sense of
unease, dread, or even fear, that plagues your life. It can be caused by
stress, and, similarly, in the short term, can provide the boost you need to
finish that project on time, but it becomes a problem when it is no longer a
passing thing. When it begins to interfere with your daily life, it can cause
you a lot of problems, and negatively impact your life.
Typical symptoms
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking
• Feelings of dread or being “on edge”
• Racing heart
• Nausea
• Disturbed sleep
• Irritability or anger
• Shaking or feeling dizzy
What is the best therapy for
anxiety?
There are numerous
treatments for anxiety, but the “best” one is one that works for you. For that
reason, it is impossible to tell you what the magic cure-all therapy is
because, simply, there isn’t one. There is only what helps you and what
doesn’t.
However, there are several
methods that are commonly used to treat anxiety, including, but not limited to,
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), applied relaxation therapy, medication,
and anxiety counselling. You should talk to a mental health professional about
which of these may be right for you. There's a possibility that a combination approach
is best.
Online and in-person
counselling in Harley Street
One option for you is stress
counselling, or anxiety counselling at our Harley Street office in Central
London. We know that you have a very busy life and may find it hard to fit in
therapy between work and family life, which is why our counsellors will strive
to make the process as easy for you as possible. We have a range of evening and
weekend appointments, and the option to have online counselling if you’re
travelling for work, unable to get to our office, or just prefer the anonymity.