Stress Reduction
The first thing to realise is that there are two sorts of stress: short-term and long-term.
As human animals were designed to reach peak performance for short periods under exceptional circumstances. This sort of stress is good for us, leading to bursts of creativity, productivity and achievement. It is symbolised by athletic prowess and artistic brilliance. Its become fashionable to complain that were stressed, but dont complain about this sort unless you favour a monotonous, predictable lifestyle!
Were certainly not designed for long-term stress, such as that caused by trying to cope with too many responsibilities on an ongoing basis. Symptoms include indigestion, ulcers, disturbed sleep patterns, irritability and nervous breakdowns, among a long list of others. So what to do about it?
Many of the people we see at our residential centre talk in terms of being the victim of exploitative employers, as though they had nothing to do with the plight in which they find themselves. We point out that it takes two to be exploited. (You will find more about this by hovering over How may we help you? above, sliding down to Free Interactive Self-help and then clicking on Help with the way I'm feeling. Exploitation is listed there.)
We always have a choice, even if, in the short term, we risk our very livelihood. Long term, it can come down to a choice between our livelihood or our life. Thats when people find it easy to make a wise choice.
If you are in a stressful situation, with no clear way out of it, do something about it today.
Here are some quick tips you may like to try:
1. Analyse your situation with a friend who is objective. Identify the prime causes of your stress. These may or may not be directly linked to your work.
2. Taking each of these stressors in turn, decide whether or not you can do something to change the situation for the better. Have courage! Just because youve put up with something for a while does not mean you can no longer change it.
3. Once you have a list of things you can do something about and a list of those you cannot improve, work out what percentage of your stress can be prevented.
4. If the remainder is more than you wish to endure, its time to reconsider your current circumstances in a radical way before risking your health and your sanity.
Bear in mind three things as you consider your options:
1. Its easy to become swamped when you have multiple responsibilities. Remember you dont have to do everything at once. It can be very helpful to make a prioritised list of things to do, with realistic time set aside for each, ticking off your list as you work your way down it. Reward yourself each time you tick!
2. Wherever possible, delegate. In addition to any staff you may have, this can be to colleagues, your boss, your partner, your children Perhaps you can pay for someone else to do the things you really hate? Its a case of using your own time to your best advantage. Now it will certainly take longer to show others how to do things the first, second and maybe even the third time, but eventually it will prove a good investment of your own time and energy.
3. Its OK to say No! If your self-esteem is low you may baulk at this, but while you agree to everything asked of you, is it any wonder that you feel exploited?
Are you heading in the right direction?
While dealing with all that life throws at us, it's easy to get blown off track.
If you feel this way, click here for further help.
If you would like help in connection with stress reduction, please e-mail VISION unlimited at:
lessstress@vision-unlimited.co.uk.
All communication is confidential.
You will not commit yourself to anything.
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