Coping With Stress This Work

Coping With Stress

This work intends to examine the various methods that have been posited to be effective in coping with psychological stress. Stress may occur in relation to home, family, work, social and political matters as well as economic and health-related matters in the life if the individual. There are coping skills that result in positive outcomes for the individual. As well there are coping skills will result in negative outcomes in the life of the individual experiencing stress. The work of Grohol (2005) entitled: "Coping with Stress" relates that it has been indicated in research that "people drink as a means of coping with modern life and its accompanying economic stress, job stress and marital discord." Additionally stated by Grohol is that "stress is often accompanied by an array of physical reactions. These symptoms can be characteristic of other physical or mental disorders." (2005)

TIPS for COPING WITH STRESS

The Mayo Clinic offers tips for coping with stress and states that "unusual levels of stress can negatively impact" the ability of the individual in accomplishing their goals and in the maintenance of good health. (2008) Stress is described as "the condition we experience when demands exceed our ability to cope..." (Mayo Clinic, 2008) the Mayo Clinic states that it is important to identify the triggers of stress. Because the individual is unique genetically and insofar as their personality and the experiences they have had in life, the triggers that result in the individual experiencing stress are different and unique for each individual. While one individual might become stressed in a social setting, another individual would feel no stress in the same setting. Suggestions offered by the Mayo Clinic for coping with stress include the following: (1) Keep a stress journal; (2) Make a list of all the demands on your time and energy for one week; (3) Improve your time management skills; and (4) Overcome burnout. (Mayo Clinic, 2008)One can improve their time management skills through: (1) creation of realistic expectations and deadlines for oneself; (2) throw away unimportant papers on ones' desk and prepare a master list of tasks; (3) throughout the day, scan the master list and work on tasks in order of their priority; (4) use a planner, stores addresses and phone numbers in the planner, copy tasks from the master list onto the page for the day in which they are expected to be accomplished; and (5) reserve time that is free of interruptions to accomplish specifically important or difficult projects. (Mayo Clinic, 2008) Overcoming burnout requires: (1) taking care of oneself; (2) developing friendships at work and outside of work; (3) taking time off; (4) setting of limits; (5) choosing battles wisely; (6) having an outlet such as a hobby or working out; and (7) seeking help. (Mayo Clinic, 2008)

II. STRESS Management TECHNIQUES

Stress management techniques reported by the Stress Management Health Center include coping strategies such as: (1) writing; (2) expression of ones' feelings; and (3) Mindfulness activities. (2008) Mindfulness activities assist the individual to relax their mind and may be combined with relaxation exercises that are "body-centered" and include the following:

Autogenic training: this technique includes six standard type exercises that assist the body to relax. Each exercise involves the use of visualization and verbal cues for relaxing the body in some specific way;

Self-hypnosis: This involves opening the mind to stress-relieving suggestions and suggestions that bring about a response in the individual and the body of the individual to stress;

Meditation: this technique is one which brings about a focus of the individual's attention to a feeling of calmness and clearness relating to the life of the individual;

Guided imagery: this technique is one of visualization which is utilized in relaxation and release of tension caused by stress;

Music Therapy: music is used for body relaxation, mood-lifting and pace-changing;

Humor therapy: this technique is widely used for stress reduction and for boosting the immune system of the body. (Stress Management Health Center, 2008)

Also stated as methods used for relaxation are: (1) physical activity; (2) doing something one enjoys and (3) body-centered relaxation. (Stress Management Health Center, 2008) Body-centered relaxation may include breathing exercise, progressive muscle relaxation, massage, aromatherapy and Yoga. Also stated to be effective is 'Magnetic Field Therapy' although there is some disagreement about the use of this type of therapy for stress-relief.

III. STRESS PREVENTION

Primary among stress-related coping skills is that of knowing how to avoid potentially stress-producing situations and knowing how to reduce the negative reactions one experiences due to stress. Time management skills are 'key' toward stress avoidance and reduction. For instance, one can save time through task delegations and by setting aside personal time for themselves. Prioritization of tasks according to their importance and management of commitments are also 'key' components of effective stress management. Lifestyle choices also affect ones' ability to cope with stress. One should attempt to: (1) balance personal, work, and family needs and obligations; (2) have a sense of purpose in life; (3) get plenty of sleep because this is the body's way of recovering from daily stress; (4) eat a balanced and healthy diet which provides another form of defense against the impacts of stress; (5) get moderate exercise throughout the week; (6) limit alcohol consumption; and (7) don't smoke. (Stress Management Health Center, 2007)