Stress coaching

Strong under pressure


Stress mirrors the physical and mental changes necessary for an adaptation response. Our nervous system perceives an increased need for attention, vigilance, focus and performance. This response is normal and even necessary for our daily life. However, we should take into account the duration of this condition. Our nervous system is made to sprint, specific moments of stress should always be followed by a recuperation phase. If we maintain this increased stress level for too long it will result in physical and mental consequences. If you run a marathon, you should also use another strategy compared to a sprinter. 

If our nervous system stays for too long in a high stress mode, a rigidity of the system sets in. It becomes increasingly difficult to lower the stress level, even when the initial trigger is no longer present. This will disrupt physical and mental processes. It can lead to sleep complaints, slower recuperation, disruption of cognitive functioning and an increasing fatigue.  

If you recognize the following symptoms, stress coaching can be a good approach for you:

  • You experience a difficulty to calm down during the day or the evening (physically and/or mentally)
  • Racing thoughts
  • Sleep disruptions due to worrying 
  • You experience a constant vigilance, even without obvious reason
  • You respond strongly to external stimuli
  • You experience symptoms like agitation, palpitations, stomach pain, irritable bowls, ...

Based on a thorough intake procedure, we gather information to set up a tailored stress management program that fits your personality. We combine physiological knowledge about the nervous system - and specifically your stress system -, techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychophysiology and health psychology. The goal is to gain more insight and flexibility of your stress system, so it becomes your ally again instead of your enemy. 

More information

Cognitive training and stress thinking

The ABC of stress thinking Stress often occurs before we even know it. A certain situation triggers internal responses that we are unaware of. Often people will then relate their stress response to the actual situation ("situation x causes stress").  Cognitive training gives us the tool...

breathing techniques and heart coherence

Breathing techniques and heart coherence Although a lot of people know that we need to keep breathing when stressed, most of them do not understand what happens on a physiological level when stress takes over our breathing. Correct  breathing techniques are a simple method to influence your auton...

Active relaxation: Progressive relaxation of Jacobsen

The paradox of relaxation: increase muscle tension to achieve relaxation A lot of people are not aware of the continuous muscle tension in their body, due to their hectic life. As such, they lose the connection with their body and the actual sensation of relaxed muscles, which in turn makes it ve...

Mindfulness techniques and attention training

In our current society we are often overwhelmed with stimuli that need to be processed as fast as possible. Our attention system is pushed to the limit and programmed to stay vigilant all the time. This is a huge energy consumer and puts a strain on our nervous system. With mindfulness techniques...