Stress Management
Evidence-based strategies for managing stress, preventing burnout, and protecting long-term health.
Stress is a natural response to life’s challenges, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to serious health problems. At Three Rivers Concierge Medicine, your physician offers stress management solutions to help you regain control, reduce anxiety, and improve your overall health. Through a combination of counseling, lifestyle changes, and tailored treatments, we can help you manage stress effectively and live a more balanced life.
Stress Management Q & A
What is Stress Management?
Stress management involves a variety of techniques and strategies that help reduce the physical and emotional impact of stress. Chronic stress is a major risk factor for conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental health disorders. At Three Rivers Concierge Medicine, we offer personalized stress management plans that aim to improve your overall well-being and reduce the harmful effects of stress.
What Are the Common Causes of Stress?
Several factors contribute to ongoing stress, including:
- High-pressure job demands
- Personal or family challenges
- Health conditions and illnesses
- Financial stress
- Relationship issues
- Major life changes, such as job loss or the death of a loved one
If you are experiencing persistent stress, it’s important to seek professional support to avoid long-term health consequences.
What Are the Effects of Chronic Stress?
Stress can manifest in many ways, and its effects might be subtle but harmful over time. Common physical and mental symptoms of stress include:
- Weight gain or loss
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Headaches or muscle tension
- Anxiety and depression
- Fatigue and low energy
- Increased irritability and mood swings
- Reduced motivation or social withdrawal
Recognizing these signs is the first step in managing and reducing stress. Your physician will work with you to identify the root causes of your stress and create a plan to alleviate its effects.
What Are the Stress Management Options?
At Three Rivers Concierge Medicine, we offer several effective stress management solutions:
- Counseling and Therapy: Behavioral therapies can help you learn to cope with stress and manage anxiety or depression related to it.
- Medications: We may prescribe medications to help manage symptoms of anxiety or depression caused by chronic stress.
- Addiction Management: If stress has led to substance abuse, we can refer you to specialists for additional support.
- Medical Weight Loss: Chronic stress can sometimes lead to unhealthy weight gain. Our medical weight loss programs can help you regain a healthy weight and reduce stress-related health risks.
- Alternative Therapies: Practices like yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, and massage therapy can help reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Your physician will recommend changes to your daily routine, such as regular exercise, better sleep hygiene, relaxation techniques, and balanced nutrition, to reduce stress.
What Happens During a Stress Management Appointment?
During your appointment, your physician will assess your symptoms and review your lifestyle to identify factors contributing to your stress. We’ll measure vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate and may conduct lab tests to rule out stress-related health issues. After understanding your unique situation, we will work together to develop a personalized stress management plan that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chronic stress actually cause disease?
Yes — the American Heart Association recognizes chronic stress as a contributing risk factor for heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, immune dysfunction, and mental health conditions including anxiety and depression. The physiological effects of sustained cortisol elevation — inflammation, insulin resistance, disrupted sleep, weight gain — accumulate over time and drive real disease. At Three Rivers Concierge Medicine in Creve Coeur, Dr. Shoemaker evaluates stress as a medical concern, not a lifestyle complaint.
How does a doctor help with stress management?
A physician can identify the medical consequences of chronic stress (elevated blood pressure, metabolic changes, hormonal disruption), order targeted lab work to assess the physiological toll, and develop an evidence-based plan that addresses both the physical and emotional dimensions. Dr. Shoemaker combines clinical evaluation with counseling, lifestyle guidance, and medication when appropriate. This is more comprehensive than what a therapist or wellness coach alone can provide.
What does a stress management appointment look like?
Dr. Shoemaker assesses your symptoms, reviews your lifestyle, checks vitals and lab markers that reflect stress's impact on your body, and works with you to develop a personalized plan. The plan may include behavioral strategies, sleep optimization, exercise recommendations, referrals for counseling or therapy, and medication if warranted. Extended concierge appointments at Three Rivers in St. Louis give you the time to actually discuss what's driving your stress — not just its symptoms.
Can stress cause weight gain?
Absolutely — research published in the journal Obesity confirms that chronic stress elevates cortisol, which promotes visceral abdominal fat storage, increases cravings for high-calorie foods, and disrupts sleep, further impairing metabolic function. Many patients struggling with weight gain despite diet and exercise efforts find that unmanaged stress is the missing piece. Dr. Shoemaker at Three Rivers evaluates stress as part of any weight management plan.
Do you prescribe medication for stress and anxiety?
When clinically appropriate, yes — but medication is one tool in a broader strategy, not the default first step. Dr. Shoemaker explores the root causes of your stress, recommends evidence-based behavioral and lifestyle interventions, and reserves pharmacotherapy for situations where it's genuinely needed. This thoughtful approach avoids the overprescription pattern common in rushed, high-volume practices.
Is stress management included in my membership?
Yes — stress management is fully integrated into your care at Three Rivers Concierge Medicine. Extended visits, direct physician access, and ongoing follow-up mean Dr. Shoemaker can monitor your stress levels longitudinally and adjust your plan as circumstances change. You don't need a separate referral or specialty appointment to address stress within your concierge care.
