Work with Gain But without Strain

By: Kathy Simmons, Georgia USA
HEALTH & HOME March-April ‘03

SUMMARY:

Stress could be acquired from ones job due to various situations like unsatisfied costumers, new technology, stiff competition for promotion and recognition and even one’s salary. An individual should learn to control his or her stress so that it won’t affect one’s attitude and physical health. The following are tips to keep oneself from stress:
a. Remember: Stress is a response.
Learning to respond to stressors appropriately can help decrease stress. Once a person is faced with such situation he or she should face it calmly and avoid engaging oneself to a feeling of fear and anger.
b. Learn to laugh.
We are all familiar of the saying “Laughter is the best medicine”. Well, it is true since a hearty laugh relaxes muscles, reduces level of stress-creating hormones, and lowers blood pressure. It also lightens everyone’s mood creating a harmonious relationship with others, creativity increases and eases tensions.
c. Be gentle with yourself.
Don’t tolerate other people to talk about you negatively because it would add to the stress you are undergoing. Have a positive mindset to manage stressful situation. Treat yourself with care just like you would to a friend. Practice positive self-talk to uplift your spirit.
d. Take a “Technology Holiday”
Technology was supposed to make our lives easier but due to this technology people begin to have 24-hour office, which they can’t escape. Cellular telephones, laptop computers and pagers are said to increase their workload. So, once in a while we have to try to limit our use of the different technology, e.g. ignoring a call during lunch break.
e. Just say no
In workplaces, we can’t avoid that there are some distractions that will prevent us from meeting a deadline. It is good that when we are busy we learn to say no to these distractions but be sure to say it politely.
f. Forgive and Forget
It is not good to talk about negative experiences because it will only relieve the stress brought by the situation. Commit to unloading the grudges and anger in order to reduce one’s stress level.
REACTION:

Facing everyday adversaries would really cause us stress so if we won’t learn any stress management technique, we will slowly weaken and eventually will affect our health and social relationships. The techniques mentioned in the article are practical. They can be done gradually since it generally strikes the attitude of an individual. We can’t expect that by the time we read this article will be able to change our attitude towards problems in just a split second. We can do it one at a time for a more effective stress management.
I just want to add another technique to overcome stress, it is to accept that stress is inevitable and we could encounter it anytime, anywhere and by everyone. So, when we do this we are prepared to face the situation and treat it like a challenge of our everyday life. Also, it would be easier to let go of the negative experiences and avoid wallowing in our own frustrations.
Learning the different stress management is a tool we need to get through our lives with healthy mind and body.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006 Permalink