Archive for October, 2008

Stress Management-Work Related Stress

As adults, the majority of us have to maintain a full-time job, if we have any kind of hope
of keeping a roof over our head, and with that job, often will come stress by the bus-load.
We all know that stress is bad for us, but we feel as though there is nothing we can do
about it, since we have to keep our job, if we want to have a place to live and food to eat.
So, what can you do to better handle and deal with stress at work? Is there anything that
can be done, or do we just have to learn to suck it up and go on anyway?

Each job comes with it’s own unique stresses, especially in the form of bad management
or poor supervisors. While some stress at work can be good for you, as it may push you
to work harder to reach that goal you have set for yourself, too much stress at work can
definitely impact all areas of your life. If you start feeling as though the stress you feel at
work never goes away, not even when you are at home or out with friends, then it is
definitely time to do something about it.

The first thing you need to do is look at issues that you might actually have some sort of
control over. For example, do you feel stressed because of the long commute you have to
and from work everyday? Do you get up early and feel like you have to run out the door
to make it to work on time because of all the traffic you meet on the way? This is an
example of an easy fix. You either need to relocate to a job that is closer to your home, or
consider moving to a new home, one that will eliminate your long commute. There are
probably many aspects in your day to day life similar to this example that you might be
able to change, if you take the time to think about it. The more stress you can get rid of,
the better off you will be.

If you don’t feel as though you have enough time at work to complete the tasks that you
are assigned, maybe you need to look at how you spend your time at work. Do you have
your workspace organized so that everything you need is readily at hand, or do you have
to spend ten or fifteen minutes looking for every item, before you can even being work
on the assigned task? Do you make personal calls at work, or spend a lot of time in the
break room or bathroom chatting it up with your coworkers? Do you get distracted easily
by people coming in and out of your office, or up and down the hall? These are issues
that really fall on you, not on your job, issues that you can take care of simply by learning
how to organize your space, and how to stop wasting precious time while at work. No,
you don’t have to sit at your desk all day and never move, but you should learn how to
make the most of your time, and eliminate time wasters, such as surfing the net or talking
to friends. Do that on your own time, at home.

Before you go home from work, or on your lunch break, get some exercise. Hit the
walking track or the gym and burn off the stress of the day. This can help you rest better,
and reduce your stress levels so you will be ready and able to tackle any new task that
comes your way.

If you just don’t seem able to shake the stress at work no matter what you do, and it is
starting to take its toll, then it may be time to look for a new employer. No one wants to
do this, but if you aren’t happy where you are, you aren’t likely to be very successful
anyway, so it really is best for everyone involved.

Stress Management 6: Stress Busters

Stress Management-Try These Stress Busters on for Size

Stress can be caused by many different factors in our lives, and we all handle and tolerate
stress differently. In general, stress can be found in the workplace, in your personal life
and relationships, and anywhere else you may be. There are some quick stress busters
that will work occasionally, such as venting to a great friend or family member, or taking
a vacation. But let’s face it, these will only work for so long, and you will either run out
of listening ears and shoulders to cry on, or you will use up all of your vacation time and
money and have to face the music. The best thing that you can do is take a look at your
life, and try to find the sources of your stress, and then really think about what you can do
to eliminate that stress completely. In the meantime, you might want to give these stress
busters a shot, as a temporary measure at least.

One of the best ways to help your body fight off the effects of stress is be health
conscious. This means making wise food choices, not overeating, maintaining your ideal
body weight, exercising on a daily basis, seeing the doctor, getting plenty of rest, and
practicing good lifestyle habits like not smoking or abusing alcohol or drugs. In general,
the healthier you are, the less likely you are to succumb to stress.

If having to spend time looking for items you need everyday is a source of stress, or if it
takes valuable time out of your day, then take some time to put some organization into
your life. Get rid of the items that you don’t need, and find a place close by for the items
you do need, so that they are available for you whenever you need to use them. Don’t add
more stress to yourself by wasting time looking for things when you could organize your
home and your office and eliminate the source of the stress altogether!

This one is a big one, and something that all of us should do on a regular basis. Make
time in your busy schedule for yourself. Don’t get so wrapped up in work and family
obligations that you forget to take the time to rest and pamper yourself occasionally. Take
the time to give yourself a facial, take a bath, go to a movie, or whatever you enjoy. You
will be much happier in your life if you do, that is for certain. If you don’t believe me, try
it for yourself and see what a difference it makes!

Take the time to find a job with a company that you are happy with. If your work is
stressful and you don’t find it satisfying, then maybe it is time to consider a change of
pace, either with a different employer, or a completely new career course. You don’t
want to go through life miserable everyday because you don’t want to go to work. In fact,
it can get so bad that you spend your free time thinking about how much you don’t want
to go, and you get to a point to where you don’t enjoy anything anymore, because you are
so busy dwelling on your hatred of your job. This is not a good thing at all!

Stress Management Tips That Can Make your Life Better

We all deal with stress everyday, no matter how old we are, what type of job we have,
our social situation, etc. Even the richest person in the world still has to manage and deal
with stress, there is just no real way to avoid it. The thing with stress is to first identify
situations that may be stressful for you, and then try to find a way to eliminate that stress.
If you are unable to eliminate the stress, then you must learn to deal with it in a healthy
way. There are many stress management tips that are simply, and can be incorporated
fairly easily into your day to day life. These tips can help you eliminate and deal with
stress in a more positive way, which will be much better for you and those around you as
well.

Parents are told that consistency is the key to getting their children to behave better, potty
train, sleep at night, etc. This same rule can be applied to our adult lives as well. When
we get into a regular pattern, going to bed at the same time each night, getting up at the
same time everyday, eating at the same time everyday, etc., we are much more at peace
with ourselves, and better able to deal with and manage stressful situations when we do
encounter them in our day to day lives.

It is also important that you set aside some time everyday for yourself. It doesn’t have to
be much, even thirty minutes a day can make a difference. Take that time to exercise,
watch television, read a book, soak in the tub, or just relax. You need this downtime,
which will help you relieve and deal with stress and tension, rather than letting it build up
inside, which isn’t healthy.

Learn how to graciously decline invitations, and say no when asked for favors more
often. If you already have a hectic schedule, why add more to it that will only cause you
to have to deal with more stress? Don’t worry about making someone angry at you; your
number one priority should be taking care of yourself.

Limit change in your life during stressful periods. For example, if you are trying to earn a
promotion at work, don’t try to move or buy a new car at the same time, as this only adds
that much more undue stress.

Cut down on the amount of time you spend at work, if possible, or at least learn to leave
work at work. Don’t bring files or projects home with you, and don’t stress about things
that happened at work when you are supposed to be at home relaxing and spending time
with your family.

Learn to take care of yourself, as you were meant to. Eat healthy foods, exercise, stay at
your ideal body weight, take vitamins, see the doctor regularly, treat yourself to the
occasional facial or manicure, or even a massage if it makes you feel better. Neglecting
your health is not going to help you any at all, and in fact, can make a bad situation even
worse.

Stress Management 4: Identifying Your Stress

Stress Management-Identify the Source of Your Stress

If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, the first thing you must do is try to
determine what is causing your stress. If you don’t do this, you won’t really know what
steps you should take to eliminate and manage your stress, so this is important. Sure,
there are stress management techniques you can use, but wouldn’t you rather identify the
source, so you can eliminate the problem completely, rather than trying to manage it’s
symptoms?

Many of us have to deal with stress that is caused by financial situations, and in fact, that
is one of the main causes of stress in society today. Some people experience financial
stress when they are contemplating a major purchase, such as a home, car, or even a
vacation. Others have to deal with financial stress caused by job loss, either due to
voluntary or involuntary reasons, such as illness, injury, or layoff. This stress is then
compounded by collection calls, collection letters and threats, which may lead to
bankruptcy, divorce, or even suicide. You may worry about paying for your child’s
education, or having the money you will need for your retirement years. For whatever
reason, financial stress is very real, so you might want to take a long look at your
finances and see what you can do to help eliminate the stress you are dealing with.

On the job stress is also fairly common. Many of us feel as though we are stuck in jobs
that we don’t want to be in, that don’t pay well, or that have no benefits, just because we
don’t have the skills needed to look elsewhere, or either we have too many financial
responsibilities to risk a career change. You may be trying to make your way to the top,
and are stressing over problems that you encounter along the way. You may have a
supervisor who is difficult to deal with, etc. There are some things that you can do to
eliminate this stress, but most often the answer is a job change.

Oftentimes, stress can be found in the home, fueled by family disagreements. Married
couples fight with each other, creating stress not only for themselves and each other, but
their children as well. This can also be caused by adding a new member to the family, as
well as from losing a close family member. Illness, birth, injury, and death all severely
impact every family member, creating stress for all.

Many people often get stressed out when they feel that their life is no longer their own. It
seems as though they have so many commitments and responsibilities that they no longer
have time for themselves. This type of stress is particularly common in moms who try to
juggle family and career. I, myself, as a busy mom can tell you that on some days it
seems difficult to find time even to take a shower, let alone do any of the things that I
used to do. Over time, this creates stress, which can build into resentment, which in turn,
can impact everyone in the family.

There are many different types of stress and factors that can cause stress. We all have
different tolerances, and can handle different things. The way I deal with stress may not
be effective for you, and vice versa.

Stress Management 3: Hectic Lifestyles

Stress Management for the Hectic Lifestyle

The majority of adults today feel like they are constantly running a marathon. They jump
out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off, and barely have enough time to shower, dress,
and eat before running out the door to take the kids to school and get to work. Their
entire day at work is filled with one hectic task after another, all with stressful deadlines
that have to be met. They come home and have to deal with the kids, cook dinner, go to
any extracurricular activities the kids may be involved in, do laundry, and hopefully sink
into bed at a decent hour. With our lives being this busy and this hectic, it is no wonder
so many of us feel the negative effects of stress. The busier and more hectic your life
becomes, the more stress you will have to deal with, so it may be time to take a look at
your life and see what you can do to cut some stress out, and learn how to better handle
the stress you can’t eliminate completely.

If you think that your busy lifestyle is contributing to your stress, then you first take a
step back and look at what you are involved in. Don’t take on any new responsibilities or
tasks, and learn how to say no and mean no. You shouldn’t feel guilty because you can’t
do everything for every person who asks you for something, that is just the way life is. If
you don’t take time for yourself, not only will you be unhappy, but sooner or later your
health may start to spiral downward as well, and then you won’t be able to help anyone,
maybe not even yourself.

Learn to prioritize your life, and cut out things that aren’t absolutely necessary. For
example, if your children are involved in so many activities outside of school that you
can’t keep up with who has to be where, then you may have to limit them to one extra
activity each. Odds are, they may be feeling stressed by it all too, so you are doing them a
favor as well. Make the necessary changes so that you have the time you need for
yourself, and still accomplish what absolutely has to be done everyday as well.

Many people suffer from stress caused by their finances. One way to eliminate that stress
is to look at where your money goes each week, and learn how to create a better budget
and stick to it. Cut out expenses that aren’t essential, pay off those credit cards as soon as
possible, and watch your stress levels start to go down!

Take the time to organize your home and your work space. Don’t lose precious time
hunting down shoes, clothes, keys, or papers that you may need. Develop a policy of
everything has a place and it needs to be in it, and enforce it.

Remember to take care of your own health. This includes taking daily vitamin
supplements, getting plenty of rest, exercising, eating healthy foods, and seeing your
doctor on a regular basis.

Learn to do relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, and put it to use often.

Couple the above remedies with a better attitude and a more positive outlook, and you
should be on your way to a happier, less stressful life.

Dealing with the Anger and Stress You Encounter In Your Life Everyday

Humans are complex beings, and we all feel and deal with emotions in different ways.
Stress and anger are two of the more common emotions that we encounter that can
negatively impact our lives, so it is important that we learn how to deal with these two
emotions properly. While we will encounter situations and people everyday that may
make us angry, we have to learn how to deal with it, in a harmless and proper way. We
have to realize that the actions we take when we are stressed or angry could not only
result in injury to ourselves, but to someone else as well.

When we become angry or stressed, our bodies release adrenaline and Epinephrine into
our systems, which speeds up the rhythm of pulse and respirations, which in turn slows
down other bodily functions, such as the work of the digestive system and the brain. Over
time, these effects can do major damage to your body, even leading to impaired mental
acuity, which could cause problems in our everyday lives. You could develop digestive
problems, such as ulcers, and your immune system could be severely weakened, making
you more prone to get sick or succumb to disease.

Anger and stress typically go hand in hand, which is why so many therapists and
physicians treat both problems at the same time. There are ways that you can learn to
handle these emotions on your own, without medical intervention, but you must do so
now, before any further damage is done to your body.

One thing that you can do is learn to be optimistic, and no matter what happens in your
life, or how bad it may seem at the time, try to keep a happy attitude. Yes, I know that is
easier said than done, but if you make a conscious effort to be happy, you can pull it off.

Try to learn to have more patience, particularly in annoying situations. If getting behind a
slower vehicle in traffic makes you want to explode, try to breathe through those feelings
of impatience, and focus on something else instead. Finding something to take your mind
off of emotions or situations that cause negative feelings is a great way to handle them.
Many people do this with breathing exercises, physical exercise, such as yoga, keeping a
journal, reading, playing video games, etc. You have to find your outlet, and use it. Don’t
let those feelings build up until you feel as though you can’t handle them anymore.
Combine that with the techniques you have learned to handle and eliminate stress and
anger in the first place, and you should be a much happier, healthier person!

Stress Management 2: Dealing With Stress

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Dealing with Stress

In today’s busy world, it is essential that we learn how to manage and handle stress
effectively, so that our health isn’t negatively impacted. We have to handle stress even at
an early age, so it is important that we learn effective stress management methods, the
sooner the better. There are many methods out there that can be used to help you deal
with and manage stress; you will have to try them on your own, to see just what works
the best for you.

One thing that you should learn in your quest for stress management is that not everyone
in the world will be nice to you, and that sometimes people will say things that will anger
you, just because they can. You can either allow those words to get you all worked up
and stressed out, or you can choose to ignore them, realizing that they are only an
expression of someone’s opinion, which only matters if you choose to let it. If someone
tries to urge you into a conflict with them, simply ignore them, walk away, or let them
know in no uncertain terms that you will not fight or argue with them, and go on about
your business. You can’t let your life be ran or influenced by the opinions of others.

Don’t dwell on things that have happened in the past. If you had a bad childhood, learn to
admit it, then go on with your life. Vengeance, anger, and hate can often lead you down a
dangerous path, one that can definitely ruin your life, if you choose to let it. Why should
you stress over something that has already happened and that you have no control over?
If you are going to stress about something, shouldn’t it be about something that is
currently an issue in your life, something that you might actually be able to do something
about? Look at the big picture, and ask yourself if there is anything to be gained by your
stressing about the situation and if you can’t come up with anything, let it go!

If you have negative thoughts or feelings, don’t dwell on them; instead try to find a way
to turn them into a positive expression. Don’t see your glass half-empty; look at it as half-
full instead. Being pessimistic won’t get you anywhere in life, other than stressed out,
and definitely won’t give you the motivation that you need to succeed.

Don’t over schedule your life so that you feel as though you don’t even have time for
yourself, as this will only create more stress for you to have to deal with. Take time out
once in a while to do something you want to do, rather than the things that you feel you
have to do.

If you have friends or family members who always dwell on the negative aspects of life,
try to limit the amount of time that you spend with them. Their way of thinking could
potentially contaminate your positive outlook as well, which again, will get you nowhere
fast. If you can’t convince them the benefits of being positive, then maybe you should
look for other people to hang out with.

How To Decrease Stress By Rewarding Yourself

I want to share a great article on how to relieve stress. We all get busy in our daily lives trying to take care of the needs of others. It can be overwhelming and frequently leads to difficulty and complications related to stress.

When we are trying to manage our stress, many of us forget to simply just take care of ourselves. Try giving yourself a little reward for all that you do.

Curtis McElroy
———————————

You have come to the end of the week and want to hang out and relax. However, you have projects you have put off, children needing your attention, family wanting your time, the list goes on. All these demands add to the stress you have been subjected to during the week. It can be so overwhelming that you end up not accomplishing anything. Your family and friends may accuse you of being distant or not caring.

It is time you rewarded yourself for all your effort. Next week will just be a reflection of the week before if you do not intervene and take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself does not require you to go out and spend a lot of money, a long trip, or hiding out from the rest of the world. When you start rewarding yourself, you will be more productive, healthier, and feel better about life.

The following are some simple activities you can start today to help decrease your stress level, and anxiety. Implementing them into your daily routine will help you feel more energetic and productive.

1. Exercise.

It doesn’t matter what kind as long as you get moving and do something. The exercise will help relieve tension and improve your mood. Exercise helps stimulate the release of endorphins. Endorphins have been shown to help relieve pain, help you relax, and induce a sense of well being.

2. Talk to friends.

Most of us have problems of our own. Talking to someone that is willing to listen will help you see problems from a different view point and help in finding an appropriate solution.

3.Compromise.

If you are convinced you are right, then do not back down. However, sometimes a mutual compromise saves time, friendships, and feelings.There are times when you just have to turn and walk away. It is not giving up, just using your time and energy for something more productive and rewarding.

4.Write what you are thinking.

Writing can be a good way to organize your thoughts and relieve anxiety. Sometimes just writing things down can improve how you feel. Try keeping an online or offline journal of what is going on in your life. It is also a great way to keep track of ideas that you want to remember later.

5. Set limits.

Learn to say no. Trying to accomplish all of our daily obligations can become overwhelming. Sit down, make a list and prioritize. There are only so many hours in a day, so determine what you can accomplish in the time available and take time for yourself.

Starting today, begin simple steps to improving your life and relationships by rewarding yourself.

Kelli McElroy is a student with interest in writing and fashion.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelli_Mcelroy http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Decrease-Stress-By-Rewarding-Yourself&id=1143259

How To Decrease Stress By Balancing Your Life

I want to share this article on how to achieve some balance in your life and decrease stress.

Curtis McElroy

———————————-

 

We all have experienced feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, and stressed with multiple obligations pulling us in all directions. Trying to multi-task can result in just spinning your wheels and never completing any task or achieving your goals.

It is important that you create some balance in your life. Creating balance does not have to require major life changes.

You should not have to quit your job, abandon your family, or escape to some remote area to feel peace and happiness.

Finding balance begins with making yourself a priority no matter what your other obligations may be.

Achieving balance in your life will help you relax and clear your mind, improve your efficiency and make you more productive.

Starting today, consider 3 simple strategies for obtaining some balance:

1. Make Time For Yourself

We all are guilty of sacrificing our own personal time to take care of others, life obligations, multitasking, pleasing our boss and just being productive.

It doesn’t take long before we are mentally and physically exhausted and burdened by our responsibilities.

Make time for yourself, daily, even if it is only 30 minutes.

Read a book, meditate, take a walk, exercise, work on a hobby or anything that helps you clear your mind.

When you return to your routine life obligations you will have more energy, be able to focus better, and your efficiency and productivity will improve.

2. Take Care Of Yourself

Make it a priority to get adequate sleep, eat appropriately, and exercise routinely.

When we are tired and stressed out even the smallest problems seem difficult to manage.

When you are rested and focussed you are better able to handle even the most life changing problems that come your way.

Taking care of yourself will help replenish your energy, and give you the strength to handle daily stress.

3. Be More Open And Flexible

The best gift you can give yourself is a flexible state of mind.

Frequently, one of the biggest causes of stress in our lives is being too rigid in our expectations.

This may be expectations you have of yourself, a friend, family, loved one, or others you may come in contact with throughout your life.

We all can get very fixed in how we think things should be. Sometimes you have to stop having unrealistic expectations and just roll with the flow.

By allowing yourself to be more flexible, you will be able to deal with crises and problems more easily.

Your creative problem solving skills will improve and you will handle important issues more efficiently.

You may need to learn how to say no and let go of certain obligations that are no longer meaningful or enjoyable to you.

So starting today, make yourself a priority and begin experiencing a more enjoyable, efficient, productive life.

Kelli McElroy is a student with interest in writing and fashion.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelli_Mcelroy http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Decrease-Stress-By-Balancing-Your-Life&id=1143253