Stress and Time Management
HOW TO GO FROM STRESSED ~ TO UNSTRESSED!
FEELING STRESSED? YOU’RE NOT ALONE
“Stress” is our body’s normal, automatic response to change in our lives. The change may be negative, positive, or imagined. When we feel unable to cope with a new demand, we begin to feel stress. Stress is highly individual ~ what may be very relaxing to one person may be stressful to another.
Not all stress is bad. We need a certain amount of stress in our lives because it stimulates and energizes us. At low levels, it motivates us to face challenges and achieve, and it adds excitement to our lives. Without stress, we may feel bored or depressed.
There are two main types of stress: eustress, the “good” type of stress, and distress, which is considered “bad” stress. Distress occurs when our stress level becomes too high and unmanageable.
As with body temperature, we can’t function well if stress is too low or too high. Each person needs to find an optimal level of stress that is motivating but not overwhelming. Then stress will work for you instead of against you.
HOW CHANGE CAN CREATE STRESS
The “stress reaction” originally helped prehistoric humans survive dangerous situations by preparing them for “fight or flight.” It consists of 3 phases: 1. Alarm ~ the body is aroused by a stressor and releases hormones to cope with the threat. 2. Resistance ~ the body repairs any damage done during the alarm stage and returns to normal. 3. Exhaustion ~ may occur if the stressor continues or several stressors are present; the body is chronically aroused, cannot repair itself and adapt, and the person becomes impaired. The stress reaction should typically be short-term and infrequent.
While physical threats are now less common, the fight or flight response can still be activated by any change or threat, real or imagined. If we think a situation is harmful to us, the body will overreact as if it were a life or death matter.
Some causes of stress include: 1. External stressors ~
FEELING STRESSED? YOU’RE NOT ALONE
“Stress” is our body’s normal, automatic response to change in our lives. The change may be negative, positive, or imagined. When we feel unable to cope with a new demand, we begin to feel stress. Stress is highly individual ~ what may be very relaxing to one person may be stressful to another.
Not all stress is bad. We need a certain amount of stress in our lives because it stimulates and energizes us. At low levels, it motivates us to face challenges and achieve, and it adds excitement to our lives. Without stress, we may feel bored or depressed.
There are two main types of stress: eustress, the “good” type of stress, and distress, which is considered “bad” stress. Distress occurs when our stress level becomes too high and unmanageable.
As with body temperature, we can’t function well if stress is too low or too high. Each person needs to find an optimal level of stress that is motivating but not overwhelming. Then stress will work for you instead of against you.
HOW CHANGE CAN CREATE STRESS
The “stress reaction” originally helped prehistoric humans survive dangerous situations by preparing them for “fight or flight.” It consists of 3 phases: 1. Alarm ~ the body is aroused by a stressor and releases hormones to cope with the threat. 2. Resistance ~ the body repairs any damage done during the alarm stage and returns to normal. 3. Exhaustion ~ may occur if the stressor continues or several stressors are present; the body is chronically aroused, cannot repair itself and adapt, and the person becomes impaired. The stress reaction should typically be short-term and infrequent.
While physical threats are now less common, the fight or flight response can still be activated by any change or threat, real or imagined. If we think a situation is harmful to us, the body will overreact as if it were a life or death matter.
Some causes of stress include: 1. External stressors ~