• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Mile High Psychology logo used in the top menu of company website

Mile High Psychology

Website for Mile High Psychology

  • Home
  • Therapy
    • Individual Therapy Services
    • Stress Management
    • Anxiety Therapy
    • Imposter Syndrome
    • ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    • CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • Therapy Methods
    • Online Therapy (U.S. only)
  • Coaching
    • Executive Coaching
    • Online Executive Coaching
  • Couples
    • Couples Counseling
    • Online Couples Counseling
    • Premarital Counseling
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Post-Marital Counseling
    • Couples Counseling Methods
  • About
    • About MHP
    • Dr. Rob Leach
    • Online Services
    • Denver Location
    • Colorado Springs Location
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • FAQs
    • Records Requests
    • Case Consultations
    • Good Faith Estimates
    • Submit Payment
    • Upload Documents
    • Client Resources
  • Existing Clients
  • New Clients

Stress Management: Building Habits That Support Well Being

Photograph of a business woman at her desk, rubbing her eyes, showing she is tired and stressed out.


Understanding Stress and Stress Management

Stress management is a vital skill for maintaining well-being in today’s fast-paced world.

Stress is a normal part of life, especially for busy professionals juggling work, relationships, and personal responsibilities. While some stress can be motivating, ongoing pressure can take a toll—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

This page explores what stress is, how it affects your well-being, and what you can do to manage it more effectively. We’ll also share a practical approach we use at Mile High Psychology to help clients move toward meaningful and lasting change.

Photograph of a father working from home on his laptop, while talking on the phone and holding his daughter, providing example of modern day stresses.


Common Sources of Stress

Stress often builds from multiple sources at once—particularly when work, family, and personal demands all converge. Common contributors include:

  • Work demands – Heavy workloads, long hours, unclear expectations, or feeling under appreciated
  • Family responsibilities – Juggling parenting, caregiving, and household duties
  • Life transitions – Relocation, career change, divorce, or loss
  • Financial concerns – Worrying about debt, budgeting, or rising living expenses
  • Health challenges – Coping with medical issues or the cost of care
  • Uncertainty and instability – Navigating changes in the economy, politics, or public health that can feel unpredictable or unsettling
  • Feeling unsafe or excluded – Managing the emotional toll of being misunderstood, marginalized, or unsupported in daily life

It’s not uncommon to experience more than one of these at the same time—especially if you’re raising children while working, managing a chronic condition, or navigating a major life transition.

Info-graphic about the effects of stress on mental and physical health.


How Stress Affects Your Health

Stress can take a real toll on our mind and body.



Short-Term Effects

In the moment, stress may cause:

  • Headaches or muscle tension
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Upset stomach or digestive issues
  • Feeling anxious, irritable, or overwhelmed
  • Difficulty concentrating


Long-Term Effects

Over time, chronic stress may increase your risk for:

  • High blood pressure or heart disease
  • Weight gain or blood sugar changes
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Digestive problems (like IBS or ulcers)
  • Frequent colds or slower recovery from illness
  • Sleep disturbances or burnout
  • Substance use as a way to cope
Portraying a stress management consultation through a photograph of a therapist and client in an office setting.

Stress Management and the Mind-Body Connection

Stress is not only about what’s happening around us—it’s also shaped by how we interpret and respond to those experiences.

Demanding situations can lead to exhaustion and cognitive overload, but it’s often our mental processing that amplifies the toll.

Patterns such as excessive worry, rumination, self-doubt, or negative self talk can escalate the stress response and diminish our sense of well-being.

Our greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.

William James
Photograph of two women practicing yoga on the beach as an example of self-care and stress management with the support of others.

Stress Management: You Don’t Have to Manage Stress Alone

Stress is part of life, but when it starts to feel unmanageable, it may be time to check in with a mental health professional. Therapy offers a space to slow down, understand what’s contributing to your stress, and find practical ways to feel more grounded and in control.

Many people benefit from just a few sessions to build new coping strategies. Others may use therapy to work through deeper patterns or long-standing stressors.

At Mile High Psychology, we take an integrated approach to therapy—drawing from evidence-based methods while tailoring support to your unique situation. Whether you’re navigating relationship concerns, work stress, or life transitions, therapy can help you make changes that align with your values and long-term goals.


How Therapy Can Help with Stress Management


Photograph of a man laughing while paying chess as an illustration of reaping the benefits of stress management.

You can improve your stress management on your own, but therapy can add structure, insight, and support. At Mile High Psychology, we offer short-term and ongoing therapy designed to:

  • Clarify what’s contributing to your stress
  • Help shift unhelpful thought patterns
  • Strengthen emotion regulation and focus
  • Set achievable goals for change
  • Build healthier habits that support your well-being

Every client is different, and every plan is personalized. We draw from evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other methods based on your needs.


The Six Pillars of Stress Management

Many people already know what supports stress management—but putting those ideas into practice can be difficult without the right fit. That’s why we focus on sustainable, personalized strategies that are practical and enjoyable.

We call these the six pillars of stress management – practical habits that support well-being:

1


Physical Activity


Regular exercise that includes both strength and cardio training has clear benefits for physical and mental health.

2


Healthy, Balanced Diet


A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in whole foods, healthy fats, and lean proteins, can help regulate mood, energy, and inflammation.

3


Quality Sleep


Good sleep habits include both what to do—and what to avoid. Sleep hygiene practices play a vital role in stress resilience and daily functioning.

4


Meaningful Relationships


Consistent, supportive connection with others helps protect against the negative effects of chronic stress and fosters emotional health.

5


Mindfulness Practices


Activities like meditation, yoga, or certain martial arts foster self-awareness, presence, and nervous system regulation.

6


Rest, Play, and Creative Expression


Recreation, artistic expression, and downtime help reset the nervous system, restore mental clarity, and bring joy into everyday life.

Example of recreation as a from of stress management using a photograph of a woman smiling while learning to serve.

You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.

Jon Kabat-Zinn

Managing the Effects of Stress: Support Is Within Reach

Stress can take a real toll—but there are effective ways to manage it. Small changes, personalized strategies, and supportive therapy can help you shift from just getting by to feeling more grounded and in control.

Stress is often just one piece of a larger puzzle. Explore how individual therapy or executive coaching with Dr. Rob Leach can support your personal and professional growth.


Photo of Dr. Rob Leach, PsyD MBA.

Rob Leach, PsyD, MBA

Clinical Psychologist and Executive Coach

Empowering positive change through therapy, coaching, and couples work. Dedicated to helping you feel better and live fully. Learn more about Rob


    Let’s Connect to Discuss Your Needs

    Complimentary consultations for new clients


    Schedule 15-Minute Consultation

    Example of active stress management through a photograph of man and woman laughing together after exercising in the gym.

    Elevate Your Mind
    Elevate Your Life

    Mile High Psychology

    Explore more

    New Clients Existing clients Contact Us
    Mile High Psychology blue tree icon displayed on company website footer menu

    Footer

    Mile High Psychology

    Denver (LoDo, RiNo)
    999 18th St., Ste. 3000
    Denver, CO 80202
    303.473.0707

    Colorado Springs
    102 S. Tejon St., Ste 1100
    Colo. Springs, CO 80903
    719.377.5111

    Online Services
    Online Therapy
    Online Couples Work
    Online Executive Coaching

    Copyright © 2025

    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter

    24/7 Crisis Support: Text, Call, or Chat 988

    Speech bubbles with the phrases “No judgment. Just help.” and “Text, Call, Chat 988.”
    Handwritten phrase “One Day at a Time” in light gray script.
    Heart-shaped Progress Pride Flag with rainbow, trans, Black, and Brown stripes.
    AP Credential
    • Personal Growth
    • Stress Management
    • Anxiety Therapy
    • Imposter Syndrome
    • CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    • Premarital Counseling
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Post-Marital Counseling
    • Executive Coaching
    • Online Services
    • Dr. Rob Leach
    • Good Faith Estimates
    • Contact Us