Stress can be associated with anything

Stress is a word we hear everyday. In my counseling office it was used when discussing anything from hospital
visits, guests, parenting, exams, relationships, diets, employers, money, illness, entertaining, holidays, etc. Stress is an emotion that can be associated with anything we do.

Stress does not come only from negative events. It can be caused by anything where we feel high expectations. Doing even wonderful, exciting things in our life can be very stressful. What causes one person stress might not cause another person stress.

It helps if we remember that everyone has stress. Our world is so over-stimulated with noise and information and opportunities, not to mention obligations and disappointments. How could we expect our lives to be stress-free?

The secret to not letting stress get the better of us is to control it. If we don’t control it, it will control us. If it controls us, we can have very serious symptoms. I suggest we pay attention to ourselves so we can recognize when stress is getting past the level of management. It is then that we can stop – sit – think – breathe – gain control.

We can control our stress because we can usually control our choices. Examples: I don’t have to get a day’s work done before my appointment at 10:00 a.m.; I don’t have to tell someone I will be there at 2:00. I can say I’ll be there between 2:00 and 2:30; I don’t have to have the house always ready for company; I don’t have to take care of every detail for the meeting; I can fill the car with gas before it’s on empty; I can leave the house 10 minutes before I think I need to; I don’t have to be perfect, ever; I can delegate; I can say NO; I can get a good night’s sleep; I can say the words I need to say; I can eat things that are green and not fried; I can take long walks; I can laugh more; I can choose who I spend time with; and I can put myself first once in awhile.

We can each be happy and productive and responsible with a manageable level of stress. Know what your stressors are, make choices that help alleviate those stressors, take care of yourself, and do what you can to contribute to less stress in your day. Imagine the change if everyone did that!

Until the next time: Live while you live!