By Derek Cook, ND
The problem of Stress
Did you know 3.7 million Canadian adults each day feel a high level of stress? 1 in 4 workers described their lives as stressful. This means a lost productivity through absenteeism, reduced work output, and increased disability claims, costing approximately ~$20 billion annually! What is Stress?
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2011002/article/11562-eng.htm
What is Stress?
Research unveils people’s sense of having little or no control is stress. And each person experiences a stressor differently. Take for example if you were to look at passengers on a roller coaster, at the back they might be hunched, eyes shut, jaws clenched and white knuckled, at the front they might be wide-eyed thrill seekers, yelling and relishing while in the middle an air of nonchalance bordering on boredom.
A stressor is experienced based on our perception of the level of lack of control, none of the passengers had more or less real control but all perceived it differently!
What Does Stress Do?
Considered the #1 Nation’s killer where it is medically shown to contribute to:
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- High blood Pressure
- Hardening of the Arteries
- Colitis
- Irritability
- Rheumatism
- Depression
- Migraines
- Diabetes
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Sexual Difficulties
- Skin Diseases
- Allergies
- Overeating
- Asthma
- Kidney Disorders
- Ulcers
- Breathing Problems
- Increased Smoking
Signs & Symptoms of Stress
When you are at work you think about sleeping, while you are in bed you lie awake thinking about work. Sound familiar? Here are some other red flags:
- dread
- frequently sick
- headaches
- tired
- overwhelmed, no time
- easily irritated
- worry
- fear
- anxiety
- late nights/insomnia
- belly fat
- dizziness upon rising
- memory loss
How We Typically React to Stress
- Stress Eating
- Stress Drinking
- Withdraw i.e. watch T.V., oversleep
- Meditate, exercise
Mistake #1: Victim, believing you can’t change
- The mistake: “I have to do X so my boss will be happy or I won’t be recognized for my efforts” (anxiety) or “They are doing this to me and its not fair” (anger) or “I’m trapped here” (despair)
- The Result: These thoughts trigger anxiety, anger and/or despair type reactions causing a negative stress response.
- The Solution: Realistic appraisal while focusing on progression not perfection. Take ownership and create choices. You are not trapped, you simply have a difficult choice – is your current pain less then it would be to change?
Mistake #2: Dealing with the effect, not the cause
- The mistake: XYZ activity (healthy or unhealthy, ie. exercise, shop- aholic) allows you to take on more stress (quantity & frequency)
- The Result: Managing can become stressful because of lack of time, creating an overwhelming feeling, rather than eliminating or reducing it in the first place.
- The Solution: Identify the sources of stress (lack of control, overwhelmed-lack of boundaries to say no, or conflicts). Assess how you respond to the sources, set goals to reduce or eliminate the stressor by using motivation, negotiation and planning techniques in order to achieve balance (optimal performance).
Mistake #3: No Blueprint, No Bubble
- The mistake: Not understanding who you are and what you truly need. You have no strategy to live the “perfect” life for you.
- The Result: Can’t create a sustainable “glass bubble” that would allow you to selectively detach from others’. i.e. can’t say not to people who infringe on your time, causing a sensation of lack of control = negative stress response
- The Solution: Stop giving away your power and feeding a sense of lack of control. Create healthy boundaries by confidently understanding who you need to be and what you need. i.e. the ability to politely but assertively say no and offer other alternatives acceptable to your terms.
Summary: Stress Management Mistakes
- Mistake #1: Victim, I can’t change – You choose to remain stuck in anxiety, anger and despair. Although certain situations can be difficult to choose, the choice is ultimately yours.
- Mistake #2: Dealing with the effect, not the cause – Dealing with the root cause in order to eliminate and reduce stress will create a more sustainable and fulfilling life.
- Mistake #3: No blueprint, No bubble – If you don’t know who you are and what you need, you will not be clear in creating healthy boundaries for yourself in order for you to maintain a sense of control of your life.
Conclusion
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another”. William James
Find help, get guidance.
Lets get started
One of my special focuses is helping people manage their stresses that severely impact their health and prevent them from healing. When we go over the list of what stress can do above, it really is the “mother of all diseases”. The way people perceive stress and then how their physical body attempts to adapt (symptoms) guides us in developing a tailored treatment for you!
- “Stress to Success” personal assessment, determine your worse stressors.
- Create a clear blueprint to confidently establish your healthy boundaries
- Uncover the causes of your stresses and eliminate them quickly
- Gain better sleep by no longer feeling trapped
- Discover your personal “inner peace” tools to stay on track long term
- Get a focused 8 Steps Toward Managing Your Job Stress tip sheet
Is it time to create the change you need? Lets get started!
info@healthflow.ca 403-313-4354
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