Stop Letting Stress Control Your Life: A Guide to a Calmer You

Stress makes your blood pressure rise and palms sweat, often causing you to act in unhealthy ways. While good stress may trigger a similar reaction, it’s short-lived, and you quickly return to your normal demeanor. Unhealthy stress, on the other hand, keeps you in a prolonged fight-or-flight mode.

Compassionate board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner Bosede Iwuamadi, DNP, PMHNP, provides treatments for people dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression, and other mental health issues via telehealth at Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas.

An unhealthy state of arousal

Your autonomic nervous system controls your heart rate and breathing. When stress puts our bodies on overload, it may feel unrelenting. Chronic stress may cause long-term physical and psychological problems.

Those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may feel a heightened stress response related to past traumas. Dr. Iwuamadi offers a range of treatments, such as medications, and lifestyle adjustments to help you combat PTSD and everyday stressors, bringing more calm into your life.

Recognize your symptoms

You may not be aware of the toll stress takes on your mind and body. Symptoms might include:

Panic attacks
High blood pressure
Exhaustion
Insomnia
Headaches
Dizziness
Muscle tension
Digestive problems

Over time, stress also weakens your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

Find healthier ways to cope

While there are many healthy ways to deal with stress, from meditation to talk therapy, many people adopt unhealthy coping methods, such as overeating or substance abuse. If you frequently feel emotionally or physically overwhelmed by stress, it may be time to seek treatment.

Dr. Iwuamadi helps you address how your negative thought patterns impact your life and stress level. She enables you to develop better problem-solving skills and coping strategies.

If you’re also dealing with PTSD, the doctor may incorporate both psychotherapy and medication management, depending upon the severity of your symptoms. She also helps you uncover any underlying mental health issues that may also play a part.

The link between stress and anger

One of the most destructive outcomes of stress is anger, which unsettles you and your relationships. Stress often causes us to interpret minor irritations as threatening. We become less able to control our impulses, leading to angry outbursts and actions.

Stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, raise your heart rate and blood pressure, often leading to an overly emotional response.

Dr. Iwuamadi suggests taking a time out or stepping away from a stressful situation to cool down and gain a better perspective.

Strategies to reduce stress

Dr. Iwuamadi recommends a variety of ways to lower stress, such as:

Add more fruits, vegetables, and fish with soothing omega-3 fatty acids to your diet
Reduce caffeine and alcohol to stay on a more even keel
Exercise regularly to stimulate feel-good endorphins and reduce stress hormones
Explore calming techniques like yoga, mindfulness, and meditation
Get a good night’s sleep to start each day on a solid foundation
Listen to music or play an instrument
Engage in an activity or hobby you enjoy to make time, and stress, stand still
Laugh more; it really is the best medicine

The doctor also discusses how to remove some of your stressors through better time management and talk therapy.

Take control of your life

Therapy enables you to develop better ways to process and express your emotions. It helps you handle day-to-day stresses without feeling overwhelmed.

Dr. Iwuamadi provides a healing, non-judgmental space to discuss your strengths and challenges. By offering validation, she helps you relieve your stress and face your problems head-on.

If you’re ready to learn new ways to destress or discuss any other mental health issues via telehealth, simply reach out today to Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas.