Stress Management

Stress is a term which is used increasingly commonly by people in all walks of life. Although there may be various differences in how we experience it, and how we describe it, in essence it refers to a state of being challenged beyond our normal comfort levels.
We may ask how we can eliminate stress from our lives, but the answer is that we can�t. Modern life provides a constant barrage of external stimuli, continually challenging our ability to cope. The good news is that there is a great deal that we can do to :-

a) Prepare ourselves to deal with it in a positive way.

b) Deal with it when it happens, so that we are strengthened rather than depleted by the experience.

And, most importantly,
c) Develop a deep understanding of our own approach and responses, changing those which are not helpful.

The possibilities of strengthening ourselves to prepare for, and deal with stress are limited only by our imagination. The list of options, whether they relate to our physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual being is probably endless. The key is to find what works best for us, and to realize that our preparation must be done on a daily basis.

To begin, we need to identify those factors which tend to trigger a stress response in us, and to clearly identify our responses. The stress factors may include :- Some, or all of these factors may well be interlinked, but in order to effectively deal with stress we need to identify our own individual responses. One tool which many find helpful in that regard is a �Stress Journal�. In this we can list both the factors which have triggered a stress response, the time it happened, the nature of our response, and how we dealt with it. Some typical responses might include :-

Breaking our responses down into their individual parts, and listing them, provides us with essential information, with which we can begin to improve our situation. One of the first keys is to pay attention to our breathing. Few of us in the western world were introduced at a young age to the importance of breathing well, yet every single process in the human body is dependent on a sufficient supply of oxygen. Most of us breathe in a very shallow fashion most of the time. Usually when we come under stress we begin either to hyper-ventilate, or our breathing becomes even shallower. Simply taking time out on a regular basis � even for 5 minutes at a time � through the day gives us a headstart in preparing our defences. It is calming for the mind, and concentrating on the breath takes our mind away from worry etc. It also allows our body to relax, and strengthens our immune system responses . Once we begin the relaxation process, we begin to see that we have options.

The more we relax, the more we realize that our options include both working with the mind and with the body. Most importantly, we need to understand that we are not our stress. Our feeling of stress is simply a response, and regardless of how deeply that response is embedded in our unconscious, we can learn to replace it with others which energize and nourish us.
Breathing and meditation help to engage our imagination, and stimulate our creativity. From there, we can start exploring to find those options which will work best for us. One key recommendation I make is that the choices we make add to our feeling of well-being, rather than being simply something we think we should do. Regular reviews of our quality of life are essential. In doing this we can effectively assess what is working, and let go of that which is not.

Breaking our life down into component parts aids us in being more specific about our choices. Looking at headings such as e.g. Accomodation, Homelife, Social Life, Work, Relationships, Physical Exercise, and breaking them down into component parts gives us essential information about what is happening in our lives, both positive and negative. Too often we allow ourselves to become caught up in the impetus of whatever is happening around us, with little in the way of choice. That is the first thing to change, and to take us on one of the most enjoyable and rewarding journeys of our lives.

(I am available to facilitate workshops on Stress Management for interested groups by arrangement.)