Stress Management
Stress is not what happens to us. It's our response TO what happens. And RESPONSE is something we can choose.
Stress is a part
of everyday life. In small quantities, stress is good; it can motivate you and
help you become more productive. However, too much stress or a strong response
to stress can be harmful.
Stress: Can either help us with challenges and
problems or make them many times worse.
The effect stress will have depends on how we handle or view the
situation.
· Handling
stress depends on us: Recognizing the stress
· Understanding
where it is coming from- Sources
· Understanding
our stress management options
Recognizing the stress
What are the signs
of stress?
We all experience stress differently in
different situations. Sometimes you might be able to tell right away when
you're feeling under stress, but other times you might keep going without recognizing
the signs.
Stress can affect you both emotionally and
physically, and it can affect the way you behave. Some signs include the
following
· Tension Irritability
· Inability
to concentrate
· Feeling
excessively tired
· Trouble
sleeping
· increased
blood pressure
· Difficulty
breathing
· Stomach
upset
· Sweating
palms
· Tight
muscles that may cause pain and trembling
Sources of Stress
Identify the
sources of stress in your life: Stress management starts with identifying the
sources of stress in our life. To do so we need to look closely at our habits,
attitude and excuses. Until we accept responsibility for the role we play, our
stress levels will remain out of our control.
We can experience
stress from four basic sources:
The Environment
– The environment can challenge you with intense and competing demands to
adjust. Examples of environmental stressors include weather, noise, crowding,
pollution, traffic etc.
Social Stressors
– we can experience multiple stressors arising from the demands of the
different social roles we occupy, such as parent, spouse, caregiver, and
employee. Some examples of social stressors include deadlines, financial
problems, presentations, disagreements, demands for your time and attention,
separation, divorce, and co-parenting.
Physiological –
Situations and circumstances affecting our body can be experienced as
physiological stressors. Examples of physiological stressors include illness,
aging, giving birth, accidents, lack of exercise, poor nutrition, and sleep
disturbances.
Thoughts – Your brain
interprets and perceives situations as stressful, difficult, painful, or
pleasant. Some situations in life are stress provoking, but it is our thoughts
that determine whether they are a problem for us
Stress management options
· Identify
sources of stress in our life and accept responsibility
· Avoid
unnecessary stress
· Alter
the situation If we can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Do what
we can to change things so the problem will not occur in the future.
· Accept
things you can’t change , Some sources of stress are unavoidable, acceptance
may be difficult but in the long run it’s easier to accept than to rally
against things we can’t change. Expect
ongoing change; understand the stages
· Laughter
· Positive
thinking
· Deep
breathing
· Stretching
· Exercise
· Healthy
diet
· Maintain
a positive attitude
· Try
to maintain a positive attitude and minimize negativity
· Avoid
complaining and criticizing
· Seek
the visiting Psychologist and Counsellors
support.
Dr Sangeetha Madhu , a clinical psychologist and Leadership expert & Shivani RK presenting articles related to well being, leadership/personal development, cognitive mastery, positive emotions, building resilience, and relationships.
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