Overview

Stress Management is the ability of an individual to manage the perceived pressures they face on a day to day basis. This may be through a variety of techniques including reducing or reappraising the pressures and enhancing coping abilities and resources.

Stress Management professionals are engaged in the practice of assisting others (be they individuals, groups or organisations) to identify and then manage the pressures they face.

Whatever the context of stress management, a broad tookit of approaches is required, based on a clear assessment of the current situation. Stress management may involve physical techniques of relaxation but also a wide range of cognitive, communication and lifestyle skills.

History

Stress is the non-specific responses of the body to any demand placed on it. Stress can create feelings of conflict and/or anxiety within an individual. Stress can stem from demands one places on oneself or from outside stimuli or situations. Some stress is easily identified, such as increased financial responsibilities; while other stress, such as feeling that one must earn peer acceptance, may go undetected.

If stress is not identified and resolved , it can progressively deteriorate one's ability to function. Some personalities are more prone to stress because of poor coping skills or unhealthy mental health attitudes towards life and/or self.

Benefits

Some stress is positive and creates diversity and challenges in life. Positive stress can keep motivation and creative responses at their highest level. With proper coping skills stress can be managed.

Procedure

Persisting stress or "distress" results in debilitating anxiety that affects one's overall mental, emotional and physical health. Some signs of stress are headaches, dizziness, fast heartbeat, abnormal eating habits, troubled breathing, inability to slow down or relax, depression, ulcers, high-blood pressure, phobias and disturbed sleep patterns.

Some coping skills include:

• Take a deep breath. Deep breathing helps calm the body
• Watch your thoughts. Negative or fearful thoughts create more anxiety and stress. Thinking positive about a situation helps reduce stress
• Practice visualization. Visualize what you want to happen in your life and affairs
• Exercise Regularly. Physical activities often relieve the body of unnecessary tensions and allow the body to function more effectively. Exercise also provides needed diversions from life's pressures
• Learn to relax. Just a few minutes of peace and quiet each day to give one the ability to assess properly a challenging situation and to respond in an appropriate manner. Relaxation is a skill. Read something inspirational and listen to your favourite music
• Talk about stress. Opening up about your problems or tensions with close friends, a therapist, co-workers or a clergy member will allow a sharing of feelings and an opportunity to keep potential stressors in proper perspective
• Structure planning of daily activities. By properly planning and using one's time, daily demands can be handled before they create unhealthy stress. Daily planning provides for a varied schedule, which can include work, leisure, social and family activities, as well as a personal time
• Set realistic goals. People who expect too much of themselves are most frequently troubled by stress. Goals must be realistic to be motivational
• Do some fun things. Treat yourself regularly by doing something that you enjoy
• Get regular checkups. Often doctors can discover physical manifestations of stress that enables one to deal effectively with the tensions of stress
• Seek more information about ways to handle stress. Learn how to manage effectively the stress in your life.
  

Source of information: www.isma.org.uk