1. Obtaining Overall Wellness
By Kelly Miller, MS

2.  Understanding the effects that stress has on
physical, emotional, and mental health
 Identify normal reactions to stressful events
 Learn some techniques to help decrease
stress

3.  Emotionally – Impacts our moods which can
cause agitations, anger, depressed moods,
and irritation
 Mentally – Lose focus and have a hard time
concentrating, become more forgetful.
 Physically – Loss of sleep, loss of appetite or
increased appetite, consume more alcohol,
decreased activity.
 Physiological – increased stomach upset,
headaches, muscle tension.

4.  Irritable
 More colds and flu's are likely
 Loss of concentration
 Increased headaches
 Low energy
 Sleep increase or decrease
 Memory loss
 Sweaty hands and feet
 Heart pounding
 Stomach upset
 Always feeling tense

5.  BREATH!
 Work on solutions, don’t focus only on the
problem
 Go for a walk
 Go to the gym
 Listen to music
 Find someone to talk to
 Learn to listen
 Lighten up (life is too short)
 Find the humor in life
 BREATH!

6.  Stress comes for a reaction we have because of
an event that has happened.
 The first stage is the emotional stage. This is
generally our initial reaction (shock, sadness,
anger).
 Second stage is an intellectual stage where we
think and ponder what has happened (voicing
thoughts, learning, defining)
 Third stage is the acceptance stage. This is where
we have accepted the event and it is no longer
creating extreme reactions (focus on positive,
taking care of others, proactive and solution
driven).

7.  When an event occurs this sets off a chain of
reactions. It looks like this:
 A = Event
 B = Thoughts, beliefs and assumptions
 C = Response and actions
 We can’t change the event but we can change
our thoughts and emotions around this event.

8.  The fear of the unknown and loss of control
can cause this extreme stress which causes
the body to react.
 Some of these losses may include:
◦ Relationships
◦ Security
◦ Trust
◦ Competence

9.  Seek support from family and friends
 Talk to a Mental Health Professional
 Work on an overall healthy lifestyle by:
◦ Staying physical activity to reduce stress
◦ Eating healthy
◦ Moderate alcohol consumption
◦ Reduce sugar intake
◦ Learn to laugh and enjoy life

10.  Acknowledge your Feelings – Change is going to
happen and learning how to cope with these
changes can help reduce stress
 Develop a Plan – Find something that works to
keep stress at bay and continue to work this
plan. (Going to the gym 3X weekly)
 Reduce Stress – Taking time everyday to reduce
your stress
 Learn to Take Care of Yourself – Physically,
Emotionally, and Mentally
 You cant help others until you have helped
yourself.

11. Kelly Miller, MS, LADC, EAP