Asked by
RUTVEJ KADU
in
Personal Health
at
10:17 AM on April 29, 2008
Rekha's Answer
Let's face it, life is stressful. Your to-do list grows daily, situations arise out of the blue that need your immediate attention. And you find yourself clenching your teeth and snapping. This is not the person you thought you would become. And to make matters worse YOU don't like this person you have become.
Everyone is prone to stress. But we can choose how to react to the helplessness and frustraition that comes along with stress. Our bodies are equipped with a flight or fight response that served our ancestors well in dier circumstances, which meant either life or death. In todays world you are expected to bear down and meet the situation head on. Day after day, stress begins to take a toll and hoplessness and despair lead to a down ward spiral. What follows usually is dislike for your job, overwhelming exhaustion and depression.
Reserve time for yourself. Yeah we've all heard it, but it is crucial in order to avoid burnout! Whatever it is you love to do. Do it! When you are constantly meeting demands from others and giving, you have to give back to yourself or you run out of that reserve. You must fill yourself up in order to give to another.
Develop a method to stay calm. ( I hum. Living with three teenagers is STRESSFUL! When thier drama comes into play, I started humming. The louder the hum indictes to them my level of stress. Before long they get the hint and laugh at me. ) Some people walk it off, others meditate. Again whatever works. Practice different methods and see what works best for you. Sometimes it can be a combination of strategies.
Get your sleep. Most people are living on less than 6 hours a night of sleep. Studies suggest at least 8. Recently it has been reported that naps cut down on heart disease. Try and keep a routine of regular hours to ensure that you get enough rest.
Develop a support system. By sharing with family or friends you can gain insight and perception. Always try to make sure this is a positive person who won't drain your energy and will truly listen without criticizing. Talking with friends about problems can make them disolve or be viewed in a different light.
Realize that you can say no. If you are already at the breaking point, adding one more thing can cause collapse. Take the time to consider the demand and if in any way if it is going to cause you stress, say no.
Practice humor. Laughter is an excellent remedy for our bodies. Get together with friends who love to laugh. Or just watching funny movies can pull us through a stressful time the next day. Laugh alot!
Let go of things you can't control. An AAHH moment, alot of things in this life we have no control over. It's actually very freeing to realize this and just move on. The only thing you have control over in certain situations is your reaction. Focus on how to overcome stress rather than stress overcoming you.
Answered at
11:40 AM on April 29, 2008
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