Stress

Stress is a state of tension created by our individual response to either;

1. The demands and pressures of our external environment including, work, family and other external sources.
2. The internally generated self-imposed demands, obligations, self-doubts and self-criticism.

Two types of external stressors can trigger stress;

• Specific (One off events such as a fright, an accident a death etc) or
• Situational (Continual pressure of work, deadlines to meet, strained relationships etc)

Stress is both additive and cumulative adding up over time until a state of crisis is reached and symptoms appear, both physical and psychological.

Stress is fear based, usually consisting of a number of often-confused emotions.

• Worry (About the future)
• Anxiety (Of the present)
• Guilt (From the past)
• Anger
• Grief
• Despair
• Doubt
• Resentment
• Humiliation etc

Fear is a belief. (A belief in our inadequacy to deal with something.)

We choose our beliefs and we do this in two ways;

• Indoctrinated. (Subconsciously)
• Deliberate. (Consciously)

We can remove stress, (fear), from our lives in three ways;

1. Change your belief, (i.e. your inadequacy to cope), by taking responsibility for being the source of your beliefs and therefore taking positive action to find ways to cope.

Recognise the symptoms and the fact that you do have the choice to change. Learn new skills to help you cope;

1. Attend stress management workshop.
2. Visit your doctor.
3. Get some counseling.
4. Breathing exercises.
5. Relaxation exercises.
6. Stretching exercises.
7. Hypnotherapy.
8. Meditation.
9. Time management.
10. Be more assertive and honest about what you can cope with.

Change your lifestyle;

1. Regular exercise.
2. Improve your diet.
3. More relaxation, time out for sport, hobbies, massage etc.
4. Work on your relationships.
5. Get in touch with yourself. Spirituality.

2. Change or remove the stressors that are causing the stress;
If it is within your control change the things that are causing the stress or at least be assertive about pointing out the stressors to whoever has the power to change them.
These could be;

      1. Company created stressors like;

• Poor or ambiguous lines of authority.
• Poor or non-existent job descriptions.
• Bullying superiors.
• Dangerous work environment.

      2. Personal stressors like;

• Strained marriage. (Improve communication or clarify expectations.)
• Unaddressed grief.

3. Remove yourself from the environment.
This is usually the last option after honestly addressing the first two.

• Leave the job, marriage or what ever it is that is causing the stress.
• Move to another area, another department away from the stressor.

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