Everyone faces stress, but not everyone knows how to handle stress in a healthy way. When you need to take control of your life, reach out to Lenore Millian, PhD. I’m an experienced stress management therapist in the CT and NJ area who is passionate about helping clients feel more in control of themselves and their environment. Contact my office to schedule your initial appointment or to learn more about my approach to therapy. During this first consultation, we’ll discuss your concerns, your goals, and how I can help.

Techniques That Serve Everyone

Stress impacts people of all ages and from all backgrounds. It’s your body’s physical, mental, and chemical reaction to circumstances that frighten, excite, confuse, and endanger you. However, what matters most is your perception of the “stressor” or how you look at the situation. I’ll teach you stress management techniques that help you feel in charge even during the most overwhelming circumstances. Over the years, I’ve worked with a diverse array of clients, and I’ve also conducted many stress management seminars. No matter what challenges you’re facing, I can teach you how to deal with stress in a positive manner and help you abandon the destructive habits and behaviors holding you back.

Guide for Developing Your Own Stress Profile

Take a little time to reflect on the following questions as a guide to self-exploration of your stress profile:

1. How often do you feel tense, anxious, irritable?
2. How often do you eat, drink or smoke to relieve tension?
3. Do you feel that you have more to do than you can accomplish each day? Do you always feel rushed?
4. Do you enjoy what you are doing? Are your daily tasks a source of pleasure and satisfaction?
5. Do you find time to relax regularly every day?
6. Do you have difficulty sleeping?
7. How would you rate your general state of health at present?
8. Do you consider your present weight to be a problem?
9. Do you eat a nutritious balanced diet (free from the excesses that can become stressors)?
10. Do you exercise regularly?
11. Do you believe you are getting adequate exercise and do you enjoy it?
12. Do you believe you are physically fit? (Is your resting pulse rate above 80/min?)
13. Calculate your life change index; is it more than 300 for the year?
14. Do you try to recognize tension in yourself? (And how do others see you expressing your stress and tension?)

Ask yourself:

• What kind of tension you feel and under what circumstances.
• What were you thinking or feeling and how did you respond when under heavy stress?

Keep a log or diary to assist you in a self-examination to identify your own sources of stress (what bothers you). Try to recognize your own manifestations of stress and tension (others may need to help you).

Life Change Index