Basic Stress Management
Defining stress and its symptoms.
Sress is typically regarded as being unhealthy for us, but a little bit is actually necessary to survive. Stress is any tension within our body-mind system. Since all activity involves shifting energy by the creation and release of tension, this means that we could not even move without it! Stress itself is not unhealthy unless it is poorly managed, causing extremely high or prolonged states of tension. If allowed to stay out-of-balance, stress can manifest as any number of disturbances and illnesses.
Too much stress can result in irritation, frustration, impulsivity, poor judgements, anxiety, depression and inability to sleep. Physically, stress can lead to knotted muscles of the shoulders and back, eyestrain, headaches and a lowered immune system. These early symptoms, if not addressed, can escalate until they contribute to diseases of all sorts, accidents, and a tendency to self-medicate with powerful drugs that can lead to addictions. Also, too much stress can lead to what is known as "burn out," an experience in which one becomes depressed, unmotivated, physically drained and confused.
The optimal stress level comes from leading a balanced lifestyle. The "symptoms" of a balanced life are regular experiences of: a general sense of well-being; mental clarity and alertness, moderate -to- high physical energy, and; the ability to alter our energy to endure the inevitable stressors that confront all human beings. People who maintain a balanced lifestyle are generally better able to stay clear, focused and calm when under pressure for the simple reason that they are not worn-down to begin with! Our body-mind can be compared to a car, a horse, or any other vehicle. When well cared for, it is able to perform masterfully under stress. When neglected or abused, it is likely to quit on us just when we need it most.
Sources of Stress
Anything can be a source of stress, but there are certain areas of life which are more likely than others to generate excess stress. These include job or schoolwork, families and other personal relationships, problems with health , finances and sexuality, and of course, life changes of any kind. Interestingly, stress is as likely to occur from positive events as it is from negative ones. On a stress scale developed by Dr. Richard Rahe, marriage is considered only 15 points less stressful than divorce. Even holidays and vacations are commonly stressful to families, for they too represent changes.
One indicator of your potential stress-inducers are your values. Stress often results from conflicts that we experience between that which we highly value, and the reality of available resources and time. For instance, you may value your family life, yet feel unable to be with them because of the hours that you are required to work. You are likely to feel more stress regarding this situation than someone who does not value spending time with family as much. Perhaps your job suited you well when you were younger, unmarried and without children, but now your needs and values have changed.
Coping With Stress
There are three, primary approaches to managing stress: alter your attitude or your typical response; change the situation that is causing stress; and increase your tolerance for stress with a balanced lifestyle.
For more details on the ways to cope with stress, click here.
