Counseling for Stress and Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal, health response to difficulties and threats to your physical or emotional well being. In the face of a perceived threat we, like all animals, are built physiologically to prepare to either fight or flee. Our bodies are programmed to give us a shot of adrenaline, which enables us to use the extra energy to either fight the perceived threat or to run from it.

So far, so good. The problem, however, with the threats we modern humans face is that most of them cannot be overcome by physically fighting or running away. When we have a nasty argument with our spouse, who threatens to leave, or when we get laid off from work, we can’t throw a punch or run for our life.

Most of the time we just sit and stew in our juices. Literally–because after a threat like one of these there are actually several nasty juices circulating in our blood stream and doing a number not only our mental stability but also on our physical health: Adrenaline, Cortisol, and Norepinephrine if you want to know.

In the face of a threat the optimal amounts of cortisol helps to maintain fluid balance and blood pressure. “But,” says Dr. Amit Sood at the Mayo Clinic, “ when you stew on a problem, the body continuously releases cortisol, and chronic elevated levels can lead to serious issues. Too much cortisol can suppress the immune system, increase blood pressure and sugar, decrease libido, produce acne, contribute to obesity and more.”

If you are feeling stressed, unable to relax and literally stewing in your juices, We will help you learn techniques to slow your heart rate down, get rid of the excess cortisol in your system, and enjoy the peace that the good Lord wants for you.