Coping with Stress
All people suffer from stress from time to time. A low level of stress is not harmful and sometimes can, in fact, be useful because it motivates us to do things that need to be done. However, much too often we let stress build up so much that it becomes a hindrance and don't cope with it effectively. If allowed to go unchecked, it accelerates to the point that we become consumed by it. It overwhelms us and saps us of our energy. When this happens we can sometimes get caught up in what seems like an inescapable cycle. Stress reduces our ability to get things done and cope with life and this in turn makes us feel more stressed and so more and more problems seem to pile up, and so on.
How can we cope with this sort of stress?
The first thing we can do in improving our stress coping is pay attention to the "early signs." Stress usually builds up gradually. Often we are unaware of this stress until it reaches high levels. But if we pay closer attention to ourselves we can pick up some "early signs" of this stress build up and deal with it before it causes too much harm. The early signs differ from person to person and as we pay attention to our patterns of behaviour we become better at identifying them. However, there are some helpful questions you can ask yourself to begin with: Have my muscles been feeling tense lately? Have I been having many headaches? How have I been sleeping? Are my thoughts relaxed? Am I coping Okay with everyday life or are little things setting me off and making me frustrated?
Once we have identified that we are stressed we need to take steps to reduce that stress. Below are four useful approaches to this: (1) problem solving, (2) thought challenging, (3) facing your fears, (4) making behavioural changes, or (5) seeking help.
The following suggestions on coping with stress are general in nature and not necessarily the best approach to any given person's stress problems. If you suffer from significant stress or anxiety problems you should consult a clinical psychologist or other appropriately trained health care professional for advice on the most suitable treatment for your problems. There are specific psychological treatments for specific psychological disorders. The suggestions below refer to coping with everyday stress not psychological disorders. Click HERE for more on coping with stress connected with anxiety disorders.
Some General Suggestions for Coping With Stress:
(1) Stressful Situation Problem Solving
(5) Seeking Help
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