Stress Management

Let us understand one interesting reality. When there are so many living beings on this earth, why does a human being alone need counseling?
Its because when all the other living beings start walking within few seconds after birth, man alone needs to be protected for quite some time. Slowly, he learns to live on this earth. This is the major difference between animals and human beings. That is why animals live in forests and human beings need a society to live his life. He needs care, protection, love and various feelings to exist on this earth. If these are missing in life, he starts feeling insecure. At this stage even a very great Emperor or a king also looses directional thinking.

To reinforce, and re-establish his faith and confidence in himself, he needs counseling. If he is not provided counseling, he may become abnormal.

Counseling is assistance extended to a needy person, when he is perfectly normal. In counseling there is no medication or clinical treatment provided. It is tremendous effort and unlimited patience from the counselor, which brings change in the counselee. It is a planned attempt to drive home basic realities of life in a systematic method. It is an attempt to change oneself, so that world appears to be a beautiful place to live.

SO NOW WHAT IS STRESS? Stress is not the same as ill-health, but has been related to such illnesses as; Cardiovascular disease, Immune system disease Asthma, Diabetes, Digestive disorders, Ulcers, Skin complaints - psoriasis, Headaches and migraines, Pre-menstrual syndrome Depression-

• Stress can lead to Distress.
• Therefore De-Stress yourself to relieve yourself from Stress.
• Become a master over your actions rather than a prisoner of your reactions

Positive Stress:
Stress can also have a positive effect:

• INCREASES motivation and awareness,
• Helps to cope up with challenging situations.
• Stress helps us to survive when we confront threatening situations

TO OVER COME STERSS WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE AND LEARN TO ACCEPT OUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES POSITIVELY.
Don't compare yourself with any one in this world. If you do so, you are insulting yourself.
FEW HANDY TIPS TO DE STRESS

1. ALWAYS TELL YOURSELF- I AM THE HERO IN MY LIFE
2. MY FAMILY NEEDS ME
3. WHEN WE FEEL TIRED AND STRESSED OUT - DRINK WATER AND COUNT 1- 10
4. WE EAT TO LIVE BUT NOT LIVE TO EAT- ENJOY YOUR FOOD
5. WHEN YOU ARE SAD blame YOUR STARS, WHEN YOU ARE HAPPY THANK YOUR STARS
6. FORGIVE AND FORGET
7. FORGET AND FORGIVE
8. SMILE - IT WILL TAKE YOU A MILE
9. PLAN EVERYDAY - SHORT TERM GOAL
10. CONTINUE TO PLAN EACH COMING DAY- LONG TERM GOAL
11. IF YOU CAN'T FIGHT, FLIGHT
12. ANGER IS ONE LETTER SHORT OF DANGER

SO EVERYDAY-I PROMISE MYSELF THAT

• I WILL SMILE, AS IT KEEPS ME HAPPY
• I WILL MAKE OTHERS HAPPY, AS IT MAKES ME HAPPY
• I WILL NOT GET ANGRY, AS IT SPOILS MY HEALTH
• I WILL NOT BECOME A SLAVE TO ANY HABITS, BECAUSE I AM SUPERIOR
• I LIVE MY LIFE, AS IT IS A GIFT FROM GOD

LASTLY, I REPEAT, WHEN I AM SAD I WILL CURSE MY STARS, WHEN I AM HAPPY I WILL THANK MY STARS. THIS WAY WE WILL NEVER LOOSE OUR SELF-CONFIDENCE
ONCE AGAIN LET ME REITERATE JAI JAWAN, JAI KISAN- Its true without Jawan we are not secure, without kisan we are not blessed with our basic needs.

Strategies To Reduce Stress: Take control, Manage your time instead of letting it manage you. Use a to-do list, follow a written plan, set goals and follow through. Avoid procrastination (defer action): a major cause of stress. Make a realistic list of things you need to do each day. Do the most important things first. That way, even if you don't finish the list, you get the most important things done. Take a break: Sometimes it is better to get away from the situation for a short time. Take a brisk walk, focus on pleasant thoughts. Then, go back to the task feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever it is you have to do.

Join the crowd: Even though you may think you are the only person in the world who is experiencing stress, the fact is that everyone experiences it sometime. Talk to someone: Find someone you trust, discuss the problems and look for solutions Put it in perspective: Chances are, this is only one small part of the rest of your life

Visualize: Sit comfortably and think of a favorite place. Imagine yourself in a successful situation Breathe: Sit quietly, and breathe deeply and slowly. Continue for five or six breaths. It is calming and the extra dose of oxygen increases the brain's thinking ability. Lighten up: Take responsibility for your feelings. When you get angry, take a break and cool down before you act. Learn always to count from one to ten or more. Use it: A little stress is a good thing. Athletes use it to increase performance. If you are experiencing a small amount of anxiety, it can help to keep you active and alert. Use it to increase your performance.

Stress Management Techniques: Change your thinking, Change your behavior, Change your lifestyle

Mrs J P BHARATHI.

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