Stress & Emotional Wellness

Why am I so stressed?

Your body triggers an automatic response when you’re afraid. The threat could be real or imagined. What can cause stress?

Chronic illnesses
Emotional problems like grief or depression
Relationship or work-related issues
And much more

Repeated or uncontrolled stress can contribute to physical and mental disorders. These can include digestive problems, insomnia, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, reproductive disorders, headaches, chronic viral infections, depression, and diminished immunity.

Learn more about stress and how it affects your body.

How can I help myself?

There are many ways to help alleviate stress:

Practice mindfulness
Try healthy thinking
Get an online personalized stress plan, free for Kaiser Permanente members

Or try some apps developed by the Center for Behavioral Health Intervention Technologies, at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. They are free from Google Play, and include:

Thought Challenger, to reinforce positive thoughts
iCope, for encouraging and reassuring messages you create
Purple Chill, for exercises on mindfulness, muscle relaxation, and visualization
Slumber Time, to get a better night’s rest with a bedtime checklist, sleep diary, and customizable alarm
Daily Feats, to help you incorporate worthwhile and productive activities into your day

Could a health coach help me?

Sometimes, we all need a little help as we’re working towards a goal. A health coach can be a valuable resource in your journey. A health coach can help you determine your patterns and behaviors, set goals, and find new coping strategies.

Learn more about Kaiser Permanente’s health coaching sessions.

Relaxation for living and sleeping well

Cultivating Health(R) Relaxation for Living and Sleeping Well guides you through several relaxation exercises.

Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Make yourself comfortable. Take slow, deep breaths. Listen and follow along:

Relaxation takes practice. The more you do it, the easier it will be to relax.

How do I manage everyday pressures?

Stress is often a result of our hectic lifestyles. Various responsibilities and rushing to do more with less sometimes means we sacrifice relaxation time with self and family.

Want to learn how to cope better?

Live your values
Slow down and manage your time.
Enjoy each moment
Practice self-care
Balance your work and life
Please watch this fotonovela: Tame Your Stress
Por favor vea esta fotonovela: Tome las riendas de su estres
Esta guía describe cómo el estrés puede afectar su salud, y contiene recomendaciones que pueden ayudarle a sentirse menos estresado(a) en el trabajo
Use esta guía para el manejo del estrés, la cual contiene encuestas, un diario, actividades semanales, y un plan de acción para el estrés
Watch this video to learn about the single most important thing you can do to manage your stress.
Or, simply go for a walk to ease the tension.

Breathing exercises

Did you know that breathing exercises can help manage intense emotions? Slowing down and focusing on your breathing instead of your worries can help you relax in minutes!

Watch the video now.

Looking for more?

Sleep well
Simple ways to relieve stress
Breathing exercises
Imagine yourself well
Create your own anti-stress plan
Make stress your friend, and use it to your advantage

If you’re a Kaiser Permanente Northwest member, call 503-249-3434 or 1-855-632-8280 (toll free) to discuss treatment needs or set up an appointment.

When should I seek help?

When stress begins to interfere with daily activities and overwhelms your life, try reaching out to others. Your family, friends, clergy, and health care team can all be of help.

If someone is threatening or hurting you, tell your doctor. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (toll free) if you need immediate help.

Want to assess your stress level?