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Planning Stress Management |
by:
Jeff Dedrick |
Deadlines at work, demanding bosses, bills to be paid at home, kids demanding for time and attention, changes inenvironment, etc. AAARRRRGH. These arerealities of everyday living that people inindustrialized world have to constantly contend with, if these factors are not handled properly this will lead to stress.
Stress iswear and tearbody experiences as people adjust toever-changing environment. It is relative to every individual. What may be considered as stressful to one person may not be true to another. Since stress factors are part of daily life,goal is not to eliminate stress but to findoptimal level wherestress factors motivateindividual in continuing his/her life and not be overwhelmed. This is called stress management.
Life without these stress factors may lead to boredom, dejection and depression. Onother hand, excess of which may make one feel tied up in knots. So, how do we know that we are attainingoptimal stress level?
A clear indication that stress management has not been practiced oroptimal stress level has not been attained ispresence of related illness. Most sickness is due to unrelieved stress such as hypertension, dizziness, hyperacidity, etc. This indicates that stress must be reduced in daily living.
So, how does one really manage stress? Two things may be done. It may be done by either changingsource of stress or changing one’s reactions to it. Ascliché goes, it’s either we shape out or we shape up. In doingformer, it’s like totally quittingstatus quo. It’s like giving up totally so thatstress factor that is present in life is totally eliminated. Some see this as chickening out or being yellow. However, this is also relative forindividual because ifstress factor already affects every aspect oflife ofindividual, getting out ofsituation completely may bebest option. This may also be consideredbrave move. The second option takeslot of courage and maturity. Being able to identify and practice appropriate reactions to stressful situations takeslot of courage and wisdom. However, with determination and persistence, this can be achieved.
The best way to manage stress is to first become aware ofstressors and to observe individual’s emotion and physical reactions to them. Most often, people ignorestress factors and just wish that they would go away. The stressor may beperson,situation orevent. The individual must recognize thatstress factor is affecting his/her life and emotionally and physically he/she is reacting to it.
After whichnext thing to do is to recognize what can be changed. The change may occur by avoiding or eliminatingstress factor completely as stated earlier or by reducing its intensity. This is done by managingstress overperiod of time instead of ondaily or weekly basis. If possible, it is best to try also to shorten exposure to stress. This may be done by takingbreak,sabbatical orleave whatever possible so long asindividual avoidsphysical premise wherestress is present. Another way is to devote time and energy to effect change by practicing goal setting and time management techniques.
The next stress management technique is by reducingintensity of emotional reaction to stress. Simply said, to avoid worrying too much. The worriers most likely chicken out. Sometimes perception ofstress factor is exaggerated. It’s like makingmountain out ofmole. It is best to work at adopting moderate views. Positive thinkers achieve more thannegative thinkers.
By not worrying too much,individual saves his body from possible physical illnesses. He is protecting his health to deteriorate due to lack of sleep and inappropriate food intake.
It is best to build physical reserves to be able to manage stress. The usual exercise is needed for cardiovascular fitness at least done three to four timesweek. Livehealthy lifestyle because this will bebest armor in fightingdaily struggle of life.
Lastly, maintain your emotional reserves. The support from family and friends are still basic necessities in life.
Do not work out forstress free life, work out to achieve and livewell stress managed life.
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