STRESS

Some Myths About Stress

1. Stress is always bad for the human system.
2. Stress is avoidable.
3. Stress is caused only by negative life events.
4. Being fired from work is stressful - being promoted is not.

Some Facts About Stress

1. Stress is unavoidable.
2. Accommodating to stress can keep us healthy in body as well as mind.
3. Long-term and high level stress can ultimately ruin our lives.

Some Warning Signs of Excessive Stress

1. Chronic fatigue.
2. Frequent tension headaches and stomach distress.
3. Appetite loss or weight gain.
4. Sexual dysfunction.
5. Increase of substance abuse.
6. Outbursts of anger.
7. Confusing mood fluctuations - laughing one minute... crying the next.
8. Heightened anxiety or excessive worry.
9. Feeling as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

When Stress Turns Into A Crisis

1. When the symptoms of stress become unmanageable.
2. When stress interferes with our normal routines.
3. When stress is ruining our relationships.

When Crisis Turns Into An Opportunity

1. The Chinese symbol for "crisis" is a combination of two separate words:
"danger" and "opportunity".
2. When danger presents threats of destruction, disintegration and
annihilation, there also exist counter opportunities for creative action,
integration, and discovery of energy for new growth and positive change.
3. In a crisis we have two choices:
a. To respond only to the danger - to be acted upon as the victim.
b. To respond as an active participant - to make choices for positive action.

When Stress Causes A Loss Of Perspective

1. When we believe that a problem...
a. Must be solved "all at once, once and for all".
b. Must be left alone and it will magically resolve itself.

When Perspective Offers A Solution To Our Problems

1. When we are able to view the problem in manageable terms.
2. When we set reasonable short-term goals.
3. When we break the problem down into smaller components.
4. When we acknowledge "progress...not perfection".
5. When we set goals that allow us to take an active stance.
6. When we realize that we need help in resolving our problems.

When Physical Exercise Helps Us Reduce The Stress In Our Lives

1. When we allow ourselves to experience physical activity on a daily basis.
2. When we exert our bodies, we also free up our minds to work more effectively.
3. When our bodies are moving, our thoughts and ideas are being stimulated.
4. When we are breathing more deeply, we are thinking more clearly.

When Diversion Offers A Respite From Stress

1. Diversion from one activity to another can be a relaxing form of exercise.
2. Diversion offers the opportunity to give your mind a rest.
3. Diversion is the opposite of obsession.
4. Diversion is a healthy activity when it lessens the stress in your life.

When To Get Professional Help

1. When you have tried everything you know...and it still does not work.
2. When your friends and family have run out of helpful suggestions.
3. When you are fighting the same fight...and still losing.
4. When you have tried changing ...and everything remains the same.

© Barbara Handelman 2002