Shake It Off!
Let the Stress Be Gone!
Types of Stressors: Are you Overwhelmed?
- Acute Time-Limited Stressors
- Brief Naturalistic Stressors
- Stressful Events Stressors
- Chronic Stressors
- Distant Stressors
If you are placed in a situation to face your phobias or placed in a uncomfortable situation then you many be presented with an acute time-limited stressor. It's only a stressor that lasts just until you give a response (Don't worry, face your fears!).
Brief naturalistic stressors are those that you face in your natural environment. It may be that upcoming job interview or a huge college exam standing in your way.
A stressful event may occur such as a tragedy or enduring through a natural disaster. You find yourself trying to gather hope and glue your life back together (It's only temporary!).
Chronic stressors can also be tragedies. You are forced to adapt to something that cannot change such as a disability.
Finally, there are distant stressors. These stressors have occurred a distant time in the past, but these events continue to affect you. Such stressors can be abuse, loss of a loved one, prisoner of war or war trauma.
Be Aware of Your Signs and Symptoms
- Insomina
- Headaches
- Feeling Overloaded or Overwhelmed
- Excess anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness
There are many more signs and symptoms of stress, so be aware!
How Are You Coping: Defense Mechanisms
- Denial
- Regression
- Acting Out
- Dissociation
- Repression
- Displacement
These are not healthy mechanisms for you or others around you, but here are some mature mechanisms to use:
- Sublimation is to zone out the bad impulses for more acceptable ones. You will refocus your energy to other healthy actions such as exercise or find humor in the little things. Just shake it off and move on to greater and better things!
- Compensation is where you may have weaknesses in one area, but you improve in other sections of your life where your strength clearly outshines your area of weakness. You may not be very academic, but you pick it up in the athletic activities and excel in that area.
- Assertiveness isn't such a bad characteristic. Many people who are assertive are good leaders and speak up on important issues. They may also have a good listening ear while they are being spoken to.
Consequences of Stress
- Suppressed immune system
- Illnesses
- Anxiety Disorders
- Mood disorders
- Burn-Out
CHOOSE POSITIVITY!
The Greater Good of Stress
How To Prevent Stress
There are three levels of stress prevention.
- Primary Prevention: Eliminate stressful situations at the work place as soon as possible. Set up group meetings, offer training and participation, study groups.
- Secondary Prevention: Stress is already there, but you are given the tools to adapt. For example, be physical and exercise or even meditate.
- Tertiary Prevention: This prevention will treat and rehabilitate those who have been exposed too long and cannot cope. Some examples are: telephone support lines, counseling, referrals to specialized physicians, and sometimes medication.
Finally, Shake It Off!
- Meditate
- Slow down- one task at a time
- Reach out- talk to others
- Decompress and Massage
- Laugh
- Crank up the tunes
- Get moving