Reading: Keep Stress

Under Control
 There are many effective ways to handle
stress. Of course, you can’t avoid stress—in
fact, you wouldn’t want to avoid all stress,
because you’d never grow.
 However, you can manage your life so that
you survive the emotional down times
without allowing stress to engulf you.
 Also, you can work to eliminate controllable
stress factors, such as running late or not getting
enough sleep. But when stress is constant or too
great, your wisest option is to find ways to
reduce or control it. You need not, and should
not, live your life in emotional stress and
discomfort. Stress can be successfully managed.
Here are some suggestions that may help.
 Understand the Causes of Stress
-Understanding why you are under stress is important.
 Analyze your Stress Factors and Write Them Down
-Write down your response to stress. For example,
you may write down, “I feel tired most of the time.
My lower back seems to ache all through the day and
night. I miss deadlines and run behind schedule.”
Analyze stress responses and consequences, and
consider each item, and ask why.
 Deal with the Stressors
-Develop techniques to deal with the causes of stress. The
longer you avoid dealing with the stress factors, the more the
stress will build up.
 Learn to Work under Pressure or Unusual Conditions
-When you can’t reduce the stressors, you need to manage
your stress response. Almost everyone, at least at some point,
has to meet deadlines, keep several jobs going at once, resolve
problems that come up, and do extra work when necessary.
Some tips to relax when under pressure
are the following:
 Stop for a moment (especially when you feel your
muscles tightening up) and take a few deep breaths.
 Do a relaxing exercise. Swing your hands at your sides
and stretch.
 Take a “power nap.” Lie down and totally relax for a
few minutes.
 Find time to do the things you enjoy.
 Leave your study area for a while to take a brisk walk.
 Finda quiet place to read a magazine or
novel during break or at lunch.
 Ifpossible, look at some peaceful images
such as forests, beaches, etc. These images
can initiate a relaxation response.
 Look up.
 Keep something humorous on hand, such as
a book of jokes.