The Three Types of Stress

Stress is a normal part of life. And a little bit of stress can be a good thing. For instance, when we lift weights, we are stressing our muscles, helping them to become bigger and stronger. Similarly, little bits of mental stress can help us become more skilled and resilient.

But too much stress can wreak havoc on our bodies and overall health. The following are the three main types of stress according to the American Psychological Association:

Acute Stress

Acute stress occurs suddenly and out of the blue. Your boss may throw you a big project to finish under a tight deadline. Or you just barely missed a bad car accident. You will experience an elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and perhaps a migraine for a short period.

Episodic Acute Stress

These are mini-crises that happen to some people on a fairly regular basis. Some people take on too much responsibility or are somehow overburdened in their life, so they live in a constant state of tension.

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress results from serious life problems that wear us down over months and years. There is no let up with this type of stress. Chronic stress has been linked to heart disease and stroke.

Music Therapy to Help Beat the Effects of Stress

Music therapy can aid in providing an outlet and release for stress as well as inducing a state of relaxation. We utilize a variety of music therapy interventions, from active music making/playing to using the Muse EEG-brain sensing headband to aid with focus, relaxation, and sleep.

If you’d like a free consultation, please give us a call or stop by our office.