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Stress
is a natural and unavoidable feature of modern life. When the pressures of
life become too much and we can't cope, stress operates like a screw
gradually turning tighter and tighter. Often we don't realise that we are
under stress - until the pressure becomes too much and the lid starts
lifting...then we crack. Humans are vulnerable and live under an optimum
level of stress every day - they often don't know how to cope, when the
pressure builds up too much...but what can we do about it to make our
lives easier?
HOW
TO COPE WITH STRESS?
Listen
to your own alarm system. There are abundant challenges, demands and
opportunities in modern living; but these often cause frustration and
exasperation. Your first step is to be aware that you are under stress.
Make a list of all of all the major stress areas in your everyday life.
(My what a big list!). Then armed with this knowledge, make an honest
commitment to changes in your life. By identifying the causes and being
open to change, you can at least hope for improvement.
FIND
THE CAUSE. CALL IT BY NAME, THEN YOU CAN ELIMINATE IT. The key, I believe,
is ACCEPTANCE.
People
suffering from severe stress should seek help from a doctor or therapist.
Therapists help the patient to feel differently about things. In other
words, they get them to have a different perspective. Persons suffering
from stress might do small tasks to give them a feeling of accomplishment
before returning to the work-force. All these techniques can make people
grow; just like plants don't grow, unless they are watered and cared for.
WHAT
CAN I DO ABOUT STRESS?
Look
at your life and try to find the main cause(es) of your stress. What
external event or situation is causing the problem? Or is it just your
perception? Is it physical, emotional or professional? Self knowledge
means self help; so that once you can identify the cause of your distress,
you can eliminate it. Remember that for you to be happy, all three areas
of your life (ie. emotional, spiritual and intellectual) need to be
satisfied. You need BALANCE in your life.
The
first step is ACCEPTANCE: admit that you are under stress and not coping
with life, as well as you should. Once you accept this, the next step is
committing yourself to take ACTION to relieve the problem. Making that
decision to take action is probably the hardest for you. It is best to use
a combination of strategies to combat moderate stress (the result of daily
wear and tear on the body).
Possible
action plans are as follows:
1.
EXERCISE regularly. A healthy, flexible body makes for a healthy, alert
mind. Being physically active stimulates energy levels in the brain
(through the chemical serotonin, or something like that) and allows an
outlet for your frustrations.
2.
Keep BUSY; this takes your mind off the problem. It is the best antidote
to deal with the problem, instead of worrying about it.
3.
Take time for yourself to RELAX, MEDITATE and VISUALISE. Don't let trivial
problems build up and get the better of you. A quiet body is more prone to
recovery and health than an angry one.
4.
Keep a positive mental attitude (P.M.A), that you will overcome your
stress. Your attitude will determine your thoughts and how well you cope
with life: "As I think I am." Your attitude beats facts every
time. Haven't I said that phrase before?
5.
Watch your DIET carefully. Eat plenty of healthy foods: fruit, fresh
'veggies' and vitamins (especially B and C). Cut down on stimulants, like
caffeine and nicotine; both these are drugs that build up your resistance.
Also cut down on sugar, fats and your salt intake.
6.
COMMUNICATE with a person close to you. Open your heart to those nearest
and dearest to you. Don't suffer in silence. John Donne said "No man
is an island unto himself." (And a few women too!). Set aside
specific times to communicate and talk honestly. Share your thoughts,
worries, feelings, dreams, disappointments and problems...and doesn't life
have enough of them!
7.
Let go of your EMOTIONS. Cry if you want to. It's natural and will lhelp
the healing process. This applies to "macho" men also, who are
socialized to keep their emotions inside.
8.
Pray to God for the answers to your stress problem, if you are religious,
or "a spiritual" person . You WILL get the answers via your
subconscious mind, your intuition - our connecting link with our Creator,
a Supreme Being, Spirit, Higher Self (or whatever you understand God to
be).
Finally,
9.
Keep your sense of HUMOR and be HAPPY.
Craig
Lock
"Information
and Inspiration distributor"
http://www.craiglock.com
http://www.craiglockbooks.com
This
extract is from Craig's first published book HANDBOOK TO SURVIVE - a
collection of writings on various subjects to help every man or woman
survive in a rapidly changing, uncertain world. Craig's various books can
be ordered at:
http://www.novelty-gift.com/ebooks.html
END
OF PART ONE -- GO TO PART TWO
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