Stress Management

What is stress?

It is hard to find one comprehensive definition of stress. We can say that stress is a body reaction to the need for constant adjustment to changes in the environment and a condition that appears when a person perceives that the demands outbalance personal and social resources that a person can mobilize.

Can you recognize yourself in the following?

• Do you feel you do not have enough time to finish everything?
• Do you forget things?
• Do you worry frequently?
• Do you get angry easily?
• Do you get sick often?
• Do you feel tired?
• Do you enjoy life less?
• Do you argue with your spouse?
• Do you make a mountain out of a molehill?
• Do you procrastinate?
• Do you get irritated by small things?

If you answered positively to some of the questions, we recommend that you continue reading this text.

Why stress?

• A million workers are absent from work every day due to stress related disorders
• 45% of all adults suffer from some stress related health disorders
• 75-90% of all visits to the doctor’s office are in some way stress related
• 50-80% of all physical illnesses are stress related
• Stress is related to 6 leading causes of death: heart diseases, cancer, lung diseases, accidents, liver cirrhosis and suicide
• To treat the consequences of stress in America it is spent 170 to 300 billion dollars, and in England it is spent 15 billion pounds a year

Techniques and ways of stress management

• Identifying the source and level of stress
• Reframing
• Relaxation and deep breaths
• Positive thinking
• Various visualization exercises
• Regular exercise
• Time management
• Assertive reactions
• Good planning and organization
• Delegating
• Making decisions
• Learn to say no
• Counseling and psychotherapy

A few recommendations

• Keep a stress diary (learn about your enemy)
• Develop self-confidence
• You have the right not to know something and ask for help
• Be yourself and authentic
• Use breathing skills – an easy and simple way to reduce tension
• Delegate and share responsibility
• Laugh at your mistakes and use humor
• Prioritize
• Take care of others, and yourself too
• Plan and take care of your time
• Take care of your health, food, drinks, physical activity
• Afford enough sleep and rest to your body