Types of Pressures

Personality Traits

Techniques for Stress Management

Q&A

Next Month

Welcome –

This is the June issue of Powerful Living, the newsletter that delivers strategies and self-help tips for living a more powerful life. Last month we discussed stress in generalities and now there will be tips and techniques to reduce stress. We’ll be more specific. As I discussed, stress is part of our lives and we have to deal with it every day. There’s no getting away from it. And pressure accumulates. Here are some examples of what I mean.

Types of Pressure:

- traffic jams, noise, weather etc.

Social

- academic stress. financial problems, job interviews, health issues, job interviews, death of a loved one etc.

Physiological

- illness, hormonal imbalance, aging, lack of sleep etc

We cannot change the stress in our lives, but we can change how we react to them. Some people are more laid back than others. Those who are prone to having more pressure have these personality traits. Ask yourself it they applies to you

Personality Traits

Type A Personality

Negativity

Twisted Thinking

Uncontrollable Anger.

Addiction and/or

Unhealthy Behaviors (smoking, emotional eating etc)

If you recognize any of these traits in yourself, follow these techniques to reduce stress, and keep working at it. This is a slow process. Use this newsletter as a reminder that you have to do every day. New habits change slowly and need repetition.

Techniques for Stress Management.

Coping Skills Ask yourself how stress is affecting you and others around you. Think of alternative ways that could work instead of what you’ve been doing – and try them out.

Ask for Help Let other people know how you’re feeling. If you're lucky enough to have a supportive family or friendship network talking to them is a great stress reliever. Reach out.

Exercise Any exercise gets you out of your head and frees your thoughts. You have to be positive to make positive changes.

Do a Feel-Good Activity – a hobby, meditation tapes, volunteer work – something that validates you.

Learn to Relax – and don’t give yourself excuses not to do them eg: aromatherapy, tai chi, massage, breathing exercises etc

Don’t focus on the Future Concentrate on now. You don’t have a crystal ball so you’re only stressing yourself out with your own insecurities – you are not a prophet so stop driving yourself crazy. Make the most of the present, then you can create a positive future.

Celebrate Success Compliment yourself on your successful changes. If you’re only negative you hold yourself back.

Sometimes the stress feels too much for you, or you don’t want to share with a friend or family member. In this case, contact a therapist, a counselor or religious leader.

or send me and e-mail if you need advice.
You’re not weak if you cry or express anger appropriately. It’s important to let out your feelings – but it’s also important to learn new strategies so you don’t have to cause yourself and others an unreasonable amount of pressure.

Q&A.

The following question was chosen from the many questions that I received on last months e-zine. It was printed with the author’s permission.

Hi Bev,

Can you please tell me if stress changes the way you think? My mind sometimes goes blank and I can’t remember things. Also I have sleep problems. Can this be stress?

Thanks Frank.

Hi Frank,

Absolutely! I’m sure you know of students who’ve blanked out during an exam – and they knew the work. This is due to stress. Stress can also make you impulsive, and do and say things that you wouldn’t ordinarily do. It can make you forgetful because your mind is overloaded. Long periods of stress can lower your immune system and then you’re more susceptible to colds and illnesses. You are also more likely to suffer from anxiety, headaches, back and neck pain, insomnia, heart palpitations and panic disorders.

Before you go to sleep do something relaxing to take your mind off the pressure of the day: listen to music, drink warm milk, avoid sugar etc. Don’t get worked up ex. play or work on the computer, get into an argument, think negative thoughts.

If you need more help consider speaking to a family doctor or mental health professional who can evaluate your symptoms.

Let me know how it works out.

Bev

If you have a question or wish to add a personal story to help others, tell me and with your permission you can

share it in the zine.

Next Month:

Productivity: Are you on top of your game?

If you know someone who would appreciate this newsletter, please do both of us a favor and pass it on.

If a friend forwarded this newsletter to you and you like what you read, please subscribe.