Handling Stress
| Category: Personal Development For Marketeers | Date: 2001-03-12 |
Stress is a natural and unavoidable feature of modern life. When the pressures of life become too much and we can't cope, stress operates like a screw gradually turning tighter and tighter. Often we don't realise that we are under stress until the pressure becomes too much and the lid starts lifting... until we crack. Humans are vulnerable and live under an optimum level of stress every day, but they don't know how to cope when the pressure builds up too much...but what can we do about it?
HOW TO COPE WITH STRESS?
Listen to your own alarm system. There are abundant challenges, demands and opportunities in modern living, but these often cause frustration and exasperation. Your first step is to be aware that you are under stress. Make a list of all of all the major stress areas in your everyday life. Then armed with this knowledge, make an honest commitment to changes in your life. By identifying the causes and being open to change, you can at least hope for improvement.
FIND THE CAUSE. CALL IT BY NAME, THEN YOU CAN ELIMINATE IT.
People suffering from severe stress should seek help from a doctor or therapist. Therapists help the patient to feel differently about things. In other words, they get them to have a different perspective. Persons suffering from stress might do small tasks to give them a feeling of accomplishment before returning to the work-force. All these techniques can make people grow; just like plants don't grow unless they are watered and cared for.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT STRESS?
Look at your life and try to find the main cause(es) of your stress. What external event or situation is causing the problem? Or is it just your perception? Is it physical, emotional or professional? Self knowledge means self help, so that once you can identify the cause of your distress, you can eliminate it. Remember that for you to be happy, all three areas of your life (ie.. emotional, spiritual and intellectual) need to be satisfied. You need balance in your life. The first step is ACCEPTANCE: admit that you are under stress and not coping with life as well as you should. Once you accept this, the next step is committing yourself to take ACTION to relieve the problem. Making that decision to take action is probably the hardest for you. It is best to use a combination of strategies to combat moderate stress (the result of daily wear and tear on the body).
Possible action plans are as follows:
1. EXERCISE regularly. A healthy, flexible body makes for a healthy alert mind. Being physically active stimulates energy levels in the brain and allows an outlet for your frustrations.
2. Keep BUSY; this takes your mind off the problem. It is the best antidote to deal with the problem instead of worrying about it.
3. Take time for yourself to RELAX, MEDITATE and VISUALISE. Don't let trivial problems build up and get the better of you. A quiet body is more prone to recovery and health than an angry one.
4. Keep a positive mental attitude (P.M.A) that you will overcome your stress. Your attitude will determine your thoughts and how well you cope with life: "As I think I am." Your attitude beats facts every time. Haven't I said that phrase before?
5. Watch your DIET carefully. Eat plenty of healthy foods: fruit, fresh 'veggies' and vitamins (especially B and C). Cut down on stimulants like caffeine and nicotine; both these are drugs that build up your resistance. Also cut down on sugar, fats and your salt intake.
6. COMMUNICATE with a person close to you. Open your heart to those nearest and dearest to you. Don't suffer in silence. John Donne said, "No man is an island unto himself." Set aside specific times to communicate and talk honestly. Share your thoughts, worries, feelings, dreams, disappointments and problems.
7. Let go of your EMOTIONS. Cry if you want to. It's natural and will help the healing process. This applies to men also, who are socialised to keep their emotions inside.
8. Keep your sense of HUMOUR and be HAPPY.
END OF PART ONE
PART TWO HANDLING STRESS
WHAT TO DO ABOUT STRESS THE 30 POINT PLAN
1. Be positive- see problems as opportunities. Have goals and visions. Have a positive mental attitude.
2. Play sports and step up your exercise.
3. Talk things over with someone.
4. Determine what causes you stress and try to eliminate it.
5. Become physically fit.
6. Balance work, home/family and recreation.
7. Enjoy your play and relaxation- it is precious time! Learn to delegate- don't try to do everything yourself.
8. Get adequate sleep and rest
9. Allow yourself some relaxation and meditation time every day.
10. Learn relaxation techniques: systematic ways to relax.
11. Give yourself time to think.
12. Know your limits and your symptoms of stress...and how to relieve them. Learn to say 'no' to others' excessive demands on you. Don't say "yes" when you mean "no".
13. "Coast" if necessary.
14. Worry only about that which can be changed by you. I like the quotation which goes something like this: "Accept that which cannot be changed by you and let God give me the wisdom to know the difference." I often do not follow this rule.
15. Use your imagination to reduce your stress levels. Be creative.
16. Learn to switch off thinking about work when you get home.
17. Think about your diet and eat nutritious food.
18. Learn to plan your time better.
19. Learn to recognise and to accept your limitations as well as the limitations (and faults) of others.
20. Learn to have FUN: you must be able to enjoy your work.
21. Learn to praise others and be positive,
22. Learn to tolerate and to forgive.
23. Learn to avoid unnecessary competition: you don't have to be the best at everything.
24. Learn to confide in others.
25. Learn to accept what can't be changed in others, eg.. personality or decisions.
26. Learn to accept that some things aren't as important to others as they are to you.
27. Learn to delegate.
28. Learn to recognise stress. Do not become so accustomed to feeling stress that it becomes a normal part of your life.
29. Have trust in other people.
and finally, no matter how stressful or hopeless your situation may appear to be...
NB: 30. Have FAITH IN YOURSELF AND ESPECIALLY IN GOD that things will eventually work out for you. Just know that HE has a plan for your life and it is to do good deeds.
IF UNDER MENTAL STRESS DO PHYSICAL EXERCISES
IF UNDER PHYSICAL STRESS DO MENTAL EXERCISES
SUMMARY:
We live in a culture which says that our happiness is dependent on acquiring material things, like stereos, cars, houses, etc. We are conditioned to think that if we are to be successful, there must be "another way" of doing things. There is stress caused by the competition to get into the "other world of wealth" - the one that the Jones's or neighbours seem to live in. Not all stress is bad. Stress can be harnessed as a positive force, eg.. through the adrenalin produced by athletes, dancers and actors before a performance. If you have a positive mental attitude and high self esteem, you can make stress work for you.
It is best to use a combination of strategies when stress is a result of daily wear and tear on the body and mind.
1. EXERCISE: Take time out to RELAX and visualise. Don't take things too seriously. Some people thrive on stress. They have a natural hardiness but they still can't control their environment - you only have control over yourself, your behaviour and your emotional responses.
2. Feel CREATIVE in solving your stress problem. A quiet body is more prone to recovery and health than an angry one.
3. Keep BUSY: Doing something is the best antidote to dealing with the problem instead of worrying about it.
Committing yourself to making these kind of changes in your life requires effort and courage. So reward yourself for each small step attained in reducing your stress level. Remember, "Rome wasn't built in a day" and a "journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."
Stress won't go away and everyone is under some sort of stress. You just have to live with it and cope. Have a sense of humour. Find out what makes you happy, then BE HAPPY.
About the Author
C.Lock@xtra.co.nz
http://www.celebrityhowto.com/CLock.html
HOW TO COPE WITH STRESS?
Listen to your own alarm system. There are abundant challenges, demands and opportunities in modern living, but these often cause frustration and exasperation. Your first step is to be aware that you are under stress. Make a list of all of all the major stress areas in your everyday life. Then armed with this knowledge, make an honest commitment to changes in your life. By identifying the causes and being open to change, you can at least hope for improvement.
FIND THE CAUSE. CALL IT BY NAME, THEN YOU CAN ELIMINATE IT.
People suffering from severe stress should seek help from a doctor or therapist. Therapists help the patient to feel differently about things. In other words, they get them to have a different perspective. Persons suffering from stress might do small tasks to give them a feeling of accomplishment before returning to the work-force. All these techniques can make people grow; just like plants don't grow unless they are watered and cared for.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT STRESS?
Look at your life and try to find the main cause(es) of your stress. What external event or situation is causing the problem? Or is it just your perception? Is it physical, emotional or professional? Self knowledge means self help, so that once you can identify the cause of your distress, you can eliminate it. Remember that for you to be happy, all three areas of your life (ie.. emotional, spiritual and intellectual) need to be satisfied. You need balance in your life. The first step is ACCEPTANCE: admit that you are under stress and not coping with life as well as you should. Once you accept this, the next step is committing yourself to take ACTION to relieve the problem. Making that decision to take action is probably the hardest for you. It is best to use a combination of strategies to combat moderate stress (the result of daily wear and tear on the body).
Possible action plans are as follows:
1. EXERCISE regularly. A healthy, flexible body makes for a healthy alert mind. Being physically active stimulates energy levels in the brain and allows an outlet for your frustrations.
2. Keep BUSY; this takes your mind off the problem. It is the best antidote to deal with the problem instead of worrying about it.
3. Take time for yourself to RELAX, MEDITATE and VISUALISE. Don't let trivial problems build up and get the better of you. A quiet body is more prone to recovery and health than an angry one.
4. Keep a positive mental attitude (P.M.A) that you will overcome your stress. Your attitude will determine your thoughts and how well you cope with life: "As I think I am." Your attitude beats facts every time. Haven't I said that phrase before?
5. Watch your DIET carefully. Eat plenty of healthy foods: fruit, fresh 'veggies' and vitamins (especially B and C). Cut down on stimulants like caffeine and nicotine; both these are drugs that build up your resistance. Also cut down on sugar, fats and your salt intake.
6. COMMUNICATE with a person close to you. Open your heart to those nearest and dearest to you. Don't suffer in silence. John Donne said, "No man is an island unto himself." Set aside specific times to communicate and talk honestly. Share your thoughts, worries, feelings, dreams, disappointments and problems.
7. Let go of your EMOTIONS. Cry if you want to. It's natural and will help the healing process. This applies to men also, who are socialised to keep their emotions inside.
8. Keep your sense of HUMOUR and be HAPPY.
END OF PART ONE
PART TWO HANDLING STRESS
WHAT TO DO ABOUT STRESS THE 30 POINT PLAN
1. Be positive- see problems as opportunities. Have goals and visions. Have a positive mental attitude.
2. Play sports and step up your exercise.
3. Talk things over with someone.
4. Determine what causes you stress and try to eliminate it.
5. Become physically fit.
6. Balance work, home/family and recreation.
7. Enjoy your play and relaxation- it is precious time! Learn to delegate- don't try to do everything yourself.
8. Get adequate sleep and rest
9. Allow yourself some relaxation and meditation time every day.
10. Learn relaxation techniques: systematic ways to relax.
11. Give yourself time to think.
12. Know your limits and your symptoms of stress...and how to relieve them. Learn to say 'no' to others' excessive demands on you. Don't say "yes" when you mean "no".
13. "Coast" if necessary.
14. Worry only about that which can be changed by you. I like the quotation which goes something like this: "Accept that which cannot be changed by you and let God give me the wisdom to know the difference." I often do not follow this rule.
15. Use your imagination to reduce your stress levels. Be creative.
16. Learn to switch off thinking about work when you get home.
17. Think about your diet and eat nutritious food.
18. Learn to plan your time better.
19. Learn to recognise and to accept your limitations as well as the limitations (and faults) of others.
20. Learn to have FUN: you must be able to enjoy your work.
21. Learn to praise others and be positive,
22. Learn to tolerate and to forgive.
23. Learn to avoid unnecessary competition: you don't have to be the best at everything.
24. Learn to confide in others.
25. Learn to accept what can't be changed in others, eg.. personality or decisions.
26. Learn to accept that some things aren't as important to others as they are to you.
27. Learn to delegate.
28. Learn to recognise stress. Do not become so accustomed to feeling stress that it becomes a normal part of your life.
29. Have trust in other people.
and finally, no matter how stressful or hopeless your situation may appear to be...
NB: 30. Have FAITH IN YOURSELF AND ESPECIALLY IN GOD that things will eventually work out for you. Just know that HE has a plan for your life and it is to do good deeds.
IF UNDER MENTAL STRESS DO PHYSICAL EXERCISES
IF UNDER PHYSICAL STRESS DO MENTAL EXERCISES
SUMMARY:
We live in a culture which says that our happiness is dependent on acquiring material things, like stereos, cars, houses, etc. We are conditioned to think that if we are to be successful, there must be "another way" of doing things. There is stress caused by the competition to get into the "other world of wealth" - the one that the Jones's or neighbours seem to live in. Not all stress is bad. Stress can be harnessed as a positive force, eg.. through the adrenalin produced by athletes, dancers and actors before a performance. If you have a positive mental attitude and high self esteem, you can make stress work for you.
It is best to use a combination of strategies when stress is a result of daily wear and tear on the body and mind.
1. EXERCISE: Take time out to RELAX and visualise. Don't take things too seriously. Some people thrive on stress. They have a natural hardiness but they still can't control their environment - you only have control over yourself, your behaviour and your emotional responses.
2. Feel CREATIVE in solving your stress problem. A quiet body is more prone to recovery and health than an angry one.
3. Keep BUSY: Doing something is the best antidote to dealing with the problem instead of worrying about it.
Committing yourself to making these kind of changes in your life requires effort and courage. So reward yourself for each small step attained in reducing your stress level. Remember, "Rome wasn't built in a day" and a "journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."
Stress won't go away and everyone is under some sort of stress. You just have to live with it and cope. Have a sense of humour. Find out what makes you happy, then BE HAPPY.
About the Author
C.Lock@xtra.co.nz
http://www.celebrityhowto.com/CLock.html
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