Now that we’ve explored the historical make up of stress (review here) as
well as identifying our individual stress tolerance point (review here), lets move more into
the present. Obviously, the stress we experience today is vastly different than
the stress our ancestors had to face. Our stress is associated more with
psychological stress as opposed to the environmental or physical stressors of a
previous time. Current research by The American Psychology Association continues
identifying money (71%), work (69%), and the economy (59%) as the most commonly
reported sources of stress. Some medical doctors even report 2/3’s of medical
office visits are the result of stress.
If you do a Google search of stress management techniques,
you will inevitable come up with thousands of hits; each outlining the most
effective tools for combating stress both proactively and reactively. The most
important consideration regarding stress management tools is that your strategies
need to be modified for you as an individual. There truly is no cookie cutter
approach to managing stress that is 100% effective for all of us. In the same
ways we each have distinct triggers and unique responses, we also fluctuate in
what tools and strategies we find effective. So before you get carried away
with the thousands of different ideas out there. Take some time to remember those
times you were incredibly overwhelmed yet you successfully coped with and
navigated through the demands. What strategies do you already practice to
effectively manage stress? We all have some skills that work for us otherwise we’d
exceed our stress tolerance point each and every day. So before you jump ahead to
reinvent the wheel, reflect on what coping skills work for you and which ones
need replacing or tweaking. Remember that as our lives change, so does the need
for different coping skills. Strategies that worked in college or before you
were a parent might no longer be effective for you. Don’t limit yourself but
instead allow yourself to think outside the box and try something new. Remember that don’t have to reinvent the
wheel, adjust what’s been effective in the past and learn from your mistakes. Past
failures are really just growth opportunities (Cliché… Yes I know, but that
doesn’t make it any less true).
If you’re still coming up empty handed or are looking for
some fresher ideas to incorporate into your stress management toolbox: Here’s
what you need to know:
- Coping with stress is as much proactive as it is reactive meaning that you need to clearly know your tipping point and know when you are creeping upon it.
- Cope with demands as they arise, don’t let them build up until you’re about tip.
- The most obvious way to avoid stress and remain under this point is to avoid stressful environments or demands… however unfortunate it is, this is rarely practical. To deal with stress; address the stressful trigger directly: can it be changed? If the answer is no, then WE need to change or accept it.
- Remember that all change is stressful (stress = ANY change) so whether positive or negative we still must cope.
- There is a difference between internal and external coping skills:
- External coping skills are the most widely used and referred to, these include things such as getting a good night sleep, eating for fuel and not for emotions, being active everyday, limited caffeine, laugh, plan ahead, and spend time with those make you feel good.
- Internal coping skills may be more difficult but are also possibly more important. Examples of internal coping skills include
- Release the belief that you are responsible for everyone and everything
- Let go of perfectionism
- Becoming comfortable accepting help
- Focus on what’s important and let the rest take care of itself
- Focus on what you can control
- Chronic Stress occurs when stress
goes unchecked and unmanaged. Chronic stress affects EVERY system of the body
and can lead to countless health problems. Again, 2/3 of doctor visits are the
result of stress! Watch out for stress headaches, its common for accumulating
stress to start as a small headache. This level of stress can even start to
feel normal however the more normal it becomes, the more likely it is you'll fail to notice the subtle signs your body is giving you that
you're closing in on your tipping point (if not exceeding it)
Take a few minutes to review the links below. The first two
will provide you with specific strategies to manage stress while the 3rd
provides you with random yet interesting facts about stress.
http://www.womansday.com/in-this-issue/stress-relief-tips?click=ht#slide-1
http://facts.randomhistory.com/stress-facts.html
http://facts.randomhistory.com/stress-facts.html
Until Next Time ~ Be Well
