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 and there are ways to help someone regain control.  Almost all stress reduction work involves learning to calm oneself and relax, since stress leads to the body becoming trapped in a state of hyper-arousal on the edge of fight or flight.  If difficulties in our relationships with other people are a source of stress, then issues like assertiveness or communication and listening skills become part of the stress reduction mix.   Last, but not least, lifestyle is a factor in stress reduction.  What we eat and drink, our sleeping and exercise patterns can all make a difference to our stress levels.

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.