Managing Stress/1
By Blue Rose on Wednesday, 13 of May , 2009 at 4:52 pm
The first stage in solving stress-inducing problems is to define them clearly. Ask yourself whether a problem is related to a particular situation or is a general reaction. For, example, is it all criticism that upsets you, or only criticism from particular people? Look, too, for the reasons underlying other people’s reactions rather than assuming that it is you who are at fault. Then think out a wide range of possible solutions, rejecting those that you know from experience do not work. Do not delude yourself into thinking that if you try hard enough, a chosen solution must work. This is not true. It is the quality of effort involved in seeking out feasible solutions, not the amount, that is important.
Next strategies in dealing with stress are learning to relax and learning to modify your behavior in order to avoid stress or alleviate it. Relaxation helps reduce stress by distracting your mind from stress-provoking thoughts. It also helps to counter the effects of the “fight or flight” (means if your ready to face the danger-fight, if you run away-flight) reaction. Learning to relax takes considerable practice, and mastery comes slowly.
As an alternative to physical relaxation, use your imagination. For example, imagine a pleasant, peaceful scene, such as a sunny, deserted beach. Close your eyes and concentrate on all the colors, smells, and sounds. Put yourself in the picture in a relaxed position. Continue imagining yourself on the beach for 10 to 15 minutes. You might find a sound-effects tape helps to increase the reality of the scene. You could also try techniques such as meditation, massage, or biofeedback.
Exercise, diet, and sleep play an enormous part in reducing stress, as well as in maintaining more general bodily fitness. It is very easy to become so involve in the serious business of living that you never find the time or energy to play. Make sure that you regularly do things just for fun. It may be as simple as taking a walk in a park, going to the movies, or even doing something you would normally think of as childish, such as jumping into a pile of fallen leaves or splashing in puddles. If life seems to be full of worries, try to see the lighter side. Laughter is a great antidote for stress, and if you can laugh, those around you will also feel less stress when they are in your company.
One of the best, but most difficult, stress-relieving strategies is to change your responses to the events around you. In a traffic jam, for example, instead of honking your horn and fuming, try leaning back and relaxing. Wind down your window and see if you can catch someone’s eye and make him or her smile. If your first attempt isn’t successful, don’t give up – try something different, and don’t forget to smile.
