Stress Management
In this confusing and challenging time, we may all need to develop techniques to manage our stress. Doesn’t it up your stress level when someone says ‘think positive’ – and you are thinking how in this negative environment? There are tools you can put into place to manage stress.
First, how do you know if you are overstressed? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I feel too exhausted at the end of the day to enjoy evening activities?
- As I try to fall asleep, am I reviewing what I didn’t complete and what I need to do the next day?
- Am I over or under eating?
- Do I feel rushed?
- Am I having nightmares?
If you answer yes to two or more – stress is probably affecting you. Go to the following website http://health.discovery.com/centers/stress/assessments/stress_assessment.html and take their short quiz to measure your stress.
You can learn to turn negative thinking into positive thinking. Here are examples from Mayo Clinic of how self-talk will gradually develop more positive thinking habits. Review this chart:
Negative self-talk Positive spin
I’ve never done it before. It’s an opportunity to learn something new.
It’s too complicated. I’ll tackle it from a different angle.
I don’t have the resources. Necessity is the mother of invention.
There’s not enough time. Let’s re-evaluate some priorities.
There’s no way it will work. I can try to make it work.
It’s too radical a change. Let’s take a chance.
No one bothers to communicate with me. I’ll see if I can open the channels of communication.
I’m not going to get any better at this. I’ll give it another try.
Practice positive thinking each day.
Here are a few stress management tips that you can use to reduce your stress:
- Prioritize – attack the most important items first – some things can wait!
- Don’t eat on the run – take time to go somewhere and relax while you dine.
- Manage your environment – lower or increase your noise level – provide what works for you.
- Own your time – do not allow others to waste your time.
- Talk about what bothers you – remember to do this in a calm, positive fashion. Use your peers at work as your sounding board.
- If you need quiet time, leave your car stereo off.
- When you are home, allocate time and a place each day to relax.
- Write your daily problems down and then schedule a time to handle them.
Stress is a normal part of life and affects everyone differently. If you are enjoying a stress free life, help your friends and co-workers develop techniques. Show them what works for you. Stress can be put into categories – mental, physical or obligations. Mental is worrying about money, health, loss of someone or something, i.e. a job, money. Physical includes poor diet, lack of sleep, illnesses. Obligations – could be making sure your family and/or loved ones meet appointments, manage their healthcare routine, etc.
Develop your coping techniques for a better/healthier you. Be realistic – you can say no. Shed the perfection role – give yourself a break and reach a balance about what needs to be handled. Remember, when your mom said ‘take one thing at a time’ - practice that – do not look too far into the future. And – didn’t she always say small steps are easier to take than big ones.
Practice makes perfect – now, I don’t remember who wrote that famous quote, but practicing, planning and perfecting positive thinking/attitude will reduce your stress.
