Stress is our response to daily events
* Challenges
* Emotions
* External changes
* Internal thoughts
Effects Of Positive Stress
* Helps us take action
* Increased awareness & perspective
* Motivates us
* Increased energy
Effects Of Negative Stress
* Worry & anxiety
* Feeling angry and impatient
* Tension & physical discomfort
Short-Term Stress
* Short-term stress may assist us in coping with difficult situations immediately
Long-Term Stress
* Long-term stress may be associated with physical & emotional health-related issues
Two out of three office visits are caused by stress-related symptoms.
About 50% of all diseases in the are of stress-related origin. These ailments include hypertension, headaches, ulcers, anxiety, allergies and asthma, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Stress can even make you more susceptible to colds and tooth decay.
Symptoms Of Stress
- Headaches
- Tightness in jaw
- Problems sleeping
- Shakiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Outbursts of anger
- Upset stomach
- Sweaty palms
- Nervousness
- Loss of interest in things
- Heart racing
- Easily crying
- Blushing
- Eating too little or too much
- Feeling fearful
- Difficulty making decisions
- Mind going blank
- Worrying about things
- Trouble remembering
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tense
- Insecurity / Isolation
- Distorted thinking / perspective
Do you know someone who is...?
- A Perfectionist: “Nothing’s quite good enough”
- A “What if?” thinker
- A Procrastinator: “I’ll get to it”
- Self-critical: “I never get things right”
- A Victim: “Oh poor pitiful me”
Rate each item from 1 (always) to 5 (never) according to how often it applies to you:
1. I eat at least one hot balanced meal a day
2. I get seven to eight hours of sleep at least four nights a week
3. I give and receive affection regularly
4. I exercise to the point of perspiration at least twice a week
5. I smoke less than half a pack of cigarettes a day
6. I drink fewer than five alcoholic beverages a week
7. I am the appropriate weight for my height
8. I have an income adequate to meet my basic expenses
9. I get strength from my spiritual beliefs
10. I have a network of friends and acquaintances
11. I have one or more friends I can confide in about personal matters
12. I am in good health
13. I am able to speak openly about my feelings when angry or worried
14. I am able to see the positive side of any situation
15. I do something for fun at least once a week
16. I am able to organize my time effectively
17. I drink fewer than three cups of coffee, tea or cola a day
18. I take quiet time for myself every day
19. I socialize regularly with fellow team members
20. I have conversations on a regular basis with my supervisor and co-workers
**Scoring:**
Add up the figures and subtract 10.
- A score of 30 or above may indicate vulnerability to stress.
- 50–75 = increased vulnerability.
- Over 75 = high vulnerability.
Fight
- Antagonize your partner, friend, family member, stranger, guest.
- Act aggressively
Flight
- Avoid the person
- Ignore the person
- Pretend it did not happen
Steps To Live With Stress
- Identify your specific stressors
- Ask: Can you do anything directly to solve the stressors?
- Cut down on observing—do something about it
- Develop competency by building and improving your skills
- Look to yourself for solutions, not magic helpers
- Be responsible for planning and completing tasks
- See mistakes as opportunities to grow
- Look to yourself for approval
- Practice positive thinking and self-talk
- Create “win/win” situations for all involved
No comments:
Post a Comment