Managing Stress....

In today’s hectic and harsh world, the amount of stress one experiences everyday and the manner in which stress is dealt with can seriously impair one’s ability to thrive. The definition of stress: “…occurs when demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is capable of mobilizing.”

Stressors are everywhere, cell phones, traffic, weather, family, jobs, bosses, bills, and crime are just a few that come to mind. So many busy schedules and daily pressures it is not very difficult to get stuck into a rut. For this reason, millions of Americans are taking antidepressants just to get through the day. A surprising number of folks are just in the passenger seat on a trip to hell, going through the motions and not taking time out to enjoy the good things that life can bring.

Too much stress can cause high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to stroke or a heart attack. Stress is also the cause of many self destructive addictions to drugs, alcohol, tobacco and overeating. These bad habits also lead to many health conditions and chronic illnesses. Due to stressors in everyday life, it’s not surprising that an individual would resort to one or several of these habits to try and “take the edge off.” The vicious cycle continues for a number of years until finally the individual realizes that they have a significant health problem that cannot be reversed. Then, unfortunately, it is too late.

Fortunately, there are a myriad of ways to prevent and reduce stress. As time goes by more and more tools become readily available for one to use and deal with stress. These tools include, exercise, journaling, meditation, hypnosis, caring for a pet, taking vacations, making time for personal enjoyment and fun, obtaining a good night sleep (eight hours or more), and positive thinking are only some ways to reduce stress. Taking time out to do fun and enjoyable things balance out the negative experiences one has daily, creating a more peaceful outlook. A good night’s rest allows the brain to work properly instead of overtime. Taking vacations can give a necessary break needed from an everyday grueling daily routine. Spirituality and prayer is also a positive form of enlightenment one can choose to engage in as another stress buster.
I believe that taking the initiative to utilize stress reducing techniques can lead to a more productive and peaceful life experience. Peace is certainly something everyone wishes for. Happiness is a personal choice that must be made in order to feel content. Many people continue to live a life of despair and depression, but only the individual has the power to change their attitude, to change their life, to change themselves