RECOGNIZING STRESS.pdf
- 1. THE FIRST STEP OF LEARNING HOW TO MANAGE STRESS IS TO LEARN HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT. RECOGNIZING STRESS
- 3. DEFINITION OF STRESS ACCORDING TO THE WEBSTER DICTIONARY, IT IS AN EMOTIONAL FACTOR THAT CAUSES BODILY OR MENTAL TENSION. 01 A PRACTICAL WAY OF DEFINING STRESS IS THE FEELING ONE GETS FROM PROLONGED, PENT-UP EMOTIONS. 02
- 5. UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES OF STRESS Understanding why you are under stress is important. This may seem obvious, but it requires deliberate, conscious effort to pause and simply ponder your situation.
- 6. FEEL UNDER LOTS OF PRESSURE FACE BIG CHANGES IN LIFE ARE WORRIED ABOUT SOMETHING DON'T HAVE MUCH OR ANY CONTROL OVER THE OUTCOME OF A SITUATION EXPERIENCE DISCRIMINATION, HATE OR ABUSE ARE GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY WHAT CAUSES STRESS?
- 7. ANALYZE YOUR STRESS FACTORS AND WRITE THEM DOWN Write down your response to stress. For example, you may write down, “I feel tired most of the time. My lower back seems to ache all through the day and night. I miss deadlines and run behind schedule.”
- 8. Analyze stress responses and consequences, and consider each item, and ask why. “Why am I feeling tired? Why does my back ache? Why do I run behind schedule?
- 9. Carefully consider each answer, because the answers will reveal stressors, such as deadlines, anxieties, trying to do so much, managing time or money poorly, or poor health habits.
- 10. DEAL WITH THE STRESSORS Develop techniques to deal with the causes of stress. The longer you avoid dealing with the stress factors, the more the stress will build up.
- 11. 1 Stop for a moment (especially when you feel your muscles tightening up) and take a few deep breaths. 2 3 4 LEARN TO WORK UNDER PRESSURE OR UNUSUAL CONDITIONS Do a relaxing exercise. Swing your hands at your sides and stretch. Take a “power nap.” Lie down and totally relax for a few minutes. Find time to do the things you enjoy.
- 12. 5 Leave your study area for a while to take a brisk walk. 6 7 8 LEARN TO WORK UNDER PRESSURE OR UNUSUAL CONDITIONS Find a quiet place to read a magazine or novel during break or at lunch. If possible, look at some peaceful images such as forests, beaches, etc. These images can initiate a relaxation response. Look up and keep something humorous on hand, such as a book of jokes.
- 13. “STRESS SHOULD BE A POWERFUL DRIVING FORCE, NOT AN OBSTACLE.” -BILL PHILLIPS