WHAT STRESS IS...
Stress is an abnormal condition
that disrupts the normal
functions of the body or mind. No
two people are affected in
exactly the same way, or to the
same degree, but most people
living in our highly
industrialized society suffer from its
effects at one or more times
during their lives. Symptoms range
from mind headaches, occasional
bouts of insomnia, overall
restlessness, digestive problems,
irritable bowel syndrome,
constipation and diarrhea, and
abdominal pain.
SELECTED LIFE EVENTS THAT CAN
BRING ON STRESS:
Death of Spouse.
Death of a close family member.
Death of a close friend.
Major personal injury, illness or
pregnancy.
Sexual molestation, drug abuse.
Major change in the health or
behavior of a family member.
Gaining or losing a new family
member.
Sexual difficulties.
Marital separation from mate.
Marriage, marital reconciliation,
divorce.
Arguments with spouse, family
members, friends, co-workers.
Changes in sleeping habits or
change in part of day when asleep.
Vacations, Major holidays. In-law
troubles.
Financing major purchases.
Beginning or ceasing formal
schooling.
Change in usual type and or amount
of recreation.
Change in outside social activities,
religions, etc.
Major change in eating habits,
Iiving conditions, moving.
Spouse beginning or ceasing work
outside the home.
Changing to a different line of
work.
Major change in responsibilities
at work.
Changes in working hours or
conditions.
Troubles with the boss.
Being fired at work.
Starting a new job or career.
Retirement from work.
Business readjustment, changes in
financial condition.
Minor violations of the law (e.g.,
traffic tickets, disturbing
the peace, etc.)
Detention in jail or other
institution.
Dealing With Work Related Stress
Examples that can cause work
related stress are trying to get
too much work done in too little
time, cutting corners or
otherwise taking chances that may
put you, or someone else at
risk, and trying to get along with
superiors and co-workers.
Everybody has days when there
simply seems there's too much work
to get done. Trying to get
everything done by yourself can bring
on stress. Some people try and
deal with the pressure by
delegating certain jobs to others.
If you can unburden yourself
and not worry about when and how
the work gets done, if you can
put full faith and trust in
co-workers or subordinates it can be
an effective escape valve. Trouble
is, most people can't let go.
If you have the type of
personality that demands to know how
things are going, chances are
you're only increasing the
pressure and stress on yourself by
constantly worrying if the
work is getting done or not.
To lessen stress you must either
learn to trust others to get
the job done, or prioritize jobs
to get rid of "what must be
done" first. Many people tend
to "put off" the difficult jobs
they hate to do until the last
possible minute. Of course, this
only makes it all the more
difficult and stressful when you
finally get around to doing what
you should have done earlier.
When you feel the "walls
closing in on you" if possible, take a
break. Many people in trying to
relax actually kick their bodies
into overdrive by using their
break time to either get a
nicotine or caffeine fix. Instead
of calming you down, both
substances being stimulants speed
up your body processes. You
may think you're relaxing, but
your blood pressure and heart are
working harder.
Instead of coffee or cigarettes
try a brief chat with friends, a
short leisurely walk, even just
looking out the window for a few
minutes. Never take breaks, or eat
lunch at your work station.
The point of a break is to get
away from whatever work you're
doing. You can't get your mind off
your work if you're chained
to your work area.
Getting along with your co-workers
and the boss can be more than
a sore point. It can be something
you learn to put up with, or
it can turn into a festering wound
that only gets worse with
time. If you're having problems,
get them out in the open. Most
managers today at least have some
training in dealing with
personal problems. If you can't
clear the air or have tried
using all the company procedures
to resolve a grievance, and you
no longer enjoy your job, hate to
go to work in the morning, or
feel that the pressure is getting
to be too much, it may be time
to seriously consider a change.
STRESS AWAY FROM WORK
Anyone who's ever been stuck in a
major traffic jam probably has
seen the darker side of many
people's personalities. It seems
everyone is always in a hurry to
either get, or go somewhere,
and never seem to allow enough
time for the everyday problems
that are bound to crop up from
time to time.
Banging on the steering wheel, laying
on the horn, giving
someone the "finger," or
shooting a string of obscenities is
only reacting to something that
has already happened. You can't
make the guy in front of you go
any faster, or prevent someone
from cutting you off. Accidents,
road repairs, and just plain
heavy traffic happens. Learn to
deal with it or don't drive. If
you must, at least change your
route from time to time. Always
allow plenty of time, and try and
make all trips as pleasant as
possible. You may not realize it,
but how you act on your way to
work, or on your way home will
have either a positive or
negative impact. Accept the fact
that it's something you just
have to get through so you may as
well try and make the best of
it.
Most people are smart enough to know
that they should set some
time aside to take it easy. If you
participate in some sports
activity, remember you're doing it
to relax! While many people
naturally have their competitive
nature come to the surface when
engaging athletics, don't lose sight
of the fact you're
participating to have fun. Don't
get bent out of shape if you
don't always win or otherwise play
up to par. The whole point is
to enjoy yourself and forget your
everyday worries. Treat it as
a night out with the
"boys," or gals and relax!
Families can be as source of
support, an oasis away from the
everyday pressures or sometimes
it's only a place to grab a few
hours sleep and get back in the
rat race. Your children, spouse,
family members, in-laws can be a
source of irritation at times.
If someone is constantly doing
something that really "bugs you,"
tell the offending person or
persons and see if things can be
straightened out before things get
out of control.
A man's home (a woman's too)
should indeed be a place to rest
and relax. Many people find it
helpful unwind by sharing the
day's events with their loved
ones. It should not develop into a
daily routine, nor should you give
a detailed blow by blow recap
of the day's events, but when
things go wrong, who better to
talk to than your family? Holding
things back, keeping it inside
yourself, almost always does more
harm than good and can affect
not only your well-being but
everyone else in your family as
well. Talking things over is a
great way to get rid of built up
stress that many people overlook.
You should also be a good
listener. Don't unload your problems
and have no time for your mate's
or children's problems. They
may seem trivial to you, but they
are real problems that need
solving just like yours.
A great way to get rid of stress
is, every once in a while, do
something totally different and
unexpected without any prior
planning. Don't fall into a trap
when you must do such and such
thing a certain way, or at
specific time or place. If you always
put on a blue suit on Thursday, or
go to an Italian restaurant
on Tuesday, break the habit every
once in a while. Even doing
things you like can become
stressful if you're stuck in the same
old rut week after boring week.
Stress can best be managed by
realizing what you can change
about your life and knowing what
you can't. Learn how to
recognize the difference and
you'll enjoy life more and be
better able to deal the ups and
downs that are part of
everyone's life.
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