Stress Management

Overview

Stress is a physical, mental and emotional response to a challenging event — not the event itself. Often referred to as the fight-or-flight response, the stress response occurs automatically when you feel threatened. Stress, whether positive or negative, is a normal part of everyone's life. Negative stress, however, diminishes your quality of life.

Stress management teaches positive ways to deal with stressful situations and relationships to help you lead a more balanced, healthier life. When channeled positively, stress can lead to growth, action and change. Physical activity, social support, relaxation and a healthy diet can all help manage stress.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for stress management

• Expertise and experience. Mayo Clinic's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program combines conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. Mayo Clinic specialists recognize that stress management can promote physical, mental and spiritual wellness.
• Latest tools and techniques. Mayo specialists offer various stress management tools and techniques to help you manage your response to difficult situations. If you're facing illness, Mayo specialists can help integrate stress management into your overall treatment plan.
• Attention and Interpretation Therapy (AIT). This structured approach to stress management was developed at Mayo Clinic. AIT forms the basis of the Stress Management And Resilience Training (SMART) program, which teaches participants about brain functioning and provides attention-training skills.
• Evidence-based approach. Mayo doctors recommend treatments based on research that demonstrates the effectiveness of complementary and integrative medicine. Mayo researchers conduct studies on stress management to improve treatments.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic
What Sets Mayo Clinic Apart

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