Let's Talk About Stress
Chapter Two
Stressssed........
Did You Know:
- Our bodies give us signs that we are under stress--irritability, depression, heart palpitations, fatigue, compulsive eating, unexplained anxiety, insomnia and body aches and pains.
- Sources of stress are found in the environment (noise, pollution, world events); our personal lives (work, family, relationships, peer pressure, finances, social events, deadlines); our physical health (illness, poor nutrition, aging, injury, lack of exercise); and our thoughts (negative emotions - anger, guilt, grief, trauma and obsessive thoughts).
- Not all stress is negative. A new home, job promotion, new baby and new relationships are all examples of positive stress. Stress becomes a negative event when the situation appears dangerous, painful or unfair and we don't have the resources to cope. Too many negative events experienced over a long period of time can result in a compromised immune system and subsequent health problems.
- Five keys to managing stress: (1) Practice physical and mental relaxation techniques; (2) eat a healthful diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains; (3) drink plenty of water; (4) exercise regularly; (5) laugh often.
- Self-hypnosis is an excellent technique for alleviating stress-related conditions such as headaches, insomnia, nervous tics, nail-biting, anxiety and high blood pressure.
- Meditation, visualization and deep breathing are relaxation techniques that help the body recover physically and emotionally from the harmful effects of stress.
Can You Handle That?
Some people see stress as a challenge and take it in stride. Others may become overwhelmed and end up physical wrecks. It's helpful to understand exactly how you handle stress. Are you making yourself more vulnerable because your coping strategies are less than resourceful? Below is a list of some common ways people cope when faced with stressful situations. You'll recognize a few of them from the profiles of Cassidy, Dawn, Jennifer, Nicole, Julia and Toni (Chapter 1). Check all that apply to you.
When Under Stress:
- ________I withdraw emotionally and do nothing.
- ________I confront the problem and work to resolve it.
- ________I eat or sleep more than I should.
- ________I engage in physical activity to "blow off" the pressure.
- ________I drink and/or smoke too much.
- ________I unwind with a hobby or creative interest or other relaxing pastime.
- ________I worry to the point that I can't sleep nights.
- ________I talk with family and friends for input and support.
- ________I become irritated and take my anger out on those around me.
- ________I practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, etc.
- ________I ignore my needs and try to please others.
- ________I get away from it all periodically to rejuvenate and relax.
Your Score: Did you check more of the even-numbered answers or more of the odd-numbered answers? The even numbered answers represent the more constructive coping strategies. Take a look at the odd-numbered strategies you checked. Those are the areas you need to work on. Recognize them as opportunities to take charge of an aspect of your life that you're not handling to the best of your ability. Focus on what is possible, and set your sights on acccomplishing it. Begin by drawing from the self-assertive (even-numbered) answers. Adapt those strategies to fit your specific needs. When you believe you are in control, you are better able to handle stressful situations. That's empowering. The lesson of this exercise: It is not the stress but the way you handle it that's more important to your physical and emotional health.
Take a Timeout
You may have been living under stress for so long now that your headaches, stomach upsets, tense muscles, clenched teeth and short temper have become second nature. But something inside you is clearly not happy with the status quo. You're ready to make a change, to feel better about yourself, to live a more supportive lifestyle. You're ready to take a timeout. You need a getaway from stress in order to recharge and retune your life.