Stress is best understood as a mis-match between the pressures that a person is dealing with and their ability to cope with that pressure.  Because of that, the various methods used to deal with stress are geared to lessening the pressure and increasing the resources of the individual.  

If the pressure is coming from outside the person, it may be that what is needed is to create a plan of action.  What needs to happen in the workplace, for example, that might make a difference and what steps could create the desired outcome?  

On the other hand, the pressure may come from within the person.  This will involve looking at how they act, the kinds of thoughts and underlying beliefs that drive them and how they use their imagination.  Some people find it difficult to manage feelings like anger or fear.  There are ways to help someone defuse unhelpful ways of thinking and regain control some measure of control over strong feelings.  

If difficulties in our relationships with other people are a source of stress, then skills relating to assertiveness or communication and listening become part of the stress reduction mix. 

What we eat and drink, our sleeping and exercise patterns can all make a difference to our stress levels.  So addressing factors contibuting to stress involves paying attention to one's everyday lifestyle.

Almost all stress reduction work involves learning to calm oneself and relax, since stress leads to the body's nervous system becoming trapped in a state of hyper-arousal on the edge of fight or flight.  Reducing stress involves creating inner safety and security so that our body's alarm system can quieten down and make it possible to enage more fully with life again.

At Beechmount, we offer both face-to-face stress reduction work and we also offer one day training courses in business settings so that people can acquire the basic skills involved in reducing stress.