Last week was very stressful for me I kept feeling like there wasn’t enough of me to go around and as a result I not only made my life slightly miserable but my friends and family as well. As a result of all this pressure I decided that it would benefit me considerably if I learned how to cope with the stress so that next time around I’m better prepared. I used to manage stress pretty well so I’m hoping that I was just in a funk last week and out of practice because so far this semester has been pretty simple. I know that it is going to get worse though so I might as well start planning ahead just in case I used up my ability to deal with it all last semester.
During my course for stress enlightenment I realized that this particular topic wasn’t just pertinent to me but to several people I know so I thought it might benefit you all as well. The first thing I did was go to the reputable website of the Mayo clinic. There I searched for “tips for coping with stress.” After a few moments of the computer thinking I was reward with a two page article detailing the best ways to deal. Apparently the first step in overcoming the problem is to identify the triggers. Realistically this makes sense and after thinking about it I realized that this is true for any problem that one faces (take AA and Weight Watchers for example.) After one recognizes the cause of the stress the next step is to use problem-solving techniques (such as exploring the problem, looking for ways to resolve it, and selecting/implementing a solution) to make it all better. Okay, so it’s probably not all that easy but it can be done. The article specifically listed a few coping mechanisms to make it all a little simpler.
The first and what I believe to be the most important is the issue of time management. For me this is where most of my stress stems from, too many things to do and not enough time. To improve my use of time I have decided to set realistic expectations, use a planner, and make detailed lists, so far so good. Try to avoid burnout was another suggestion to reduce stress, along with making some “me time” and finding someone to talk too. A separate article went into great detail about positive thinking allowing people to reduce their stress and enjoy life more. The list of health benefits that accompany positive thinking helped to convince me how essential it really is. I also found out that my father was right about laughter being a special type of medicine. A belly laugh is considered a significant stress reliever and helps to increase personal satisfaction amongst several other things. On a slightly more controversial note, religion is also a great thing to turn to in times of stress. Everyone has their own opinions about God but for those who beleive this is one of my favorite suggestions.
The list goes on about different ways to deal with the mayhem life causes but I found these particular tips to be some of the better ones. I suggest that if you are stressed you try them out. They worked for me so I see no reason they shouldn’t work for you too. But then again this week has been a lot easier than last week.
During my course for stress enlightenment I realized that this particular topic wasn’t just pertinent to me but to several people I know so I thought it might benefit you all as well. The first thing I did was go to the reputable website of the Mayo clinic. There I searched for “tips for coping with stress.” After a few moments of the computer thinking I was reward with a two page article detailing the best ways to deal. Apparently the first step in overcoming the problem is to identify the triggers. Realistically this makes sense and after thinking about it I realized that this is true for any problem that one faces (take AA and Weight Watchers for example.) After one recognizes the cause of the stress the next step is to use problem-solving techniques (such as exploring the problem, looking for ways to resolve it, and selecting/implementing a solution) to make it all better. Okay, so it’s probably not all that easy but it can be done. The article specifically listed a few coping mechanisms to make it all a little simpler.
The first and what I believe to be the most important is the issue of time management. For me this is where most of my stress stems from, too many things to do and not enough time. To improve my use of time I have decided to set realistic expectations, use a planner, and make detailed lists, so far so good. Try to avoid burnout was another suggestion to reduce stress, along with making some “me time” and finding someone to talk too. A separate article went into great detail about positive thinking allowing people to reduce their stress and enjoy life more. The list of health benefits that accompany positive thinking helped to convince me how essential it really is. I also found out that my father was right about laughter being a special type of medicine. A belly laugh is considered a significant stress reliever and helps to increase personal satisfaction amongst several other things. On a slightly more controversial note, religion is also a great thing to turn to in times of stress. Everyone has their own opinions about God but for those who beleive this is one of my favorite suggestions.
The list goes on about different ways to deal with the mayhem life causes but I found these particular tips to be some of the better ones. I suggest that if you are stressed you try them out. They worked for me so I see no reason they shouldn’t work for you too. But then again this week has been a lot easier than last week.
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