WHAT do you do when you get stressed? Individuals respond to stress in various ways. The more active and athletic go to the gym or join the Zumba sessions at the mall to deal with stress. But a simpler way is to take several deep breaths.
Some women would rather go to the beauty salon or to the spa as a way of unwinding themselves and getting relief from a stressful situation. Our gray-haired men and women sit down and relax; read a good book. Others prefer to take a swim in the pool. Believe it or not, I play chess on my computer after listening to the evening news; its contents, a cause for so much stress.
Spiritual Research Foundation identified some of the situations in life that cause stress: A child that neglects his studies, quarrels with the spouse, somebody sick in the family, an infant that constantly cries, financial difficulties, problems at work and not getting that much awaited promotion at work.
The same foundation suggests stress management saying that it is all about taking charge of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions and the way you deal with problems.
The American Heart Association suggests that you avoid alcohol, drugs and cigarettes since these only give a temporary relief from stress. Meditation is the best way to approach stress. The association also gives us the following tips: Take a break from the “stressor,” get enough sleep, get organized, try not to worry, slow down, give up bad habits, practice giving back, engage in daily physical activity and take time to talk to family and friends.
For me, laughter is still the best medicine. I keep a lot of old editions of Reader’s Digest that contain a good section of humorous anecdotes. Occasionally, I call a funny friend. I watch several episodes of I Love Lucy which I consider, features the funniest lady comedian. I avoid people who are very negative in life. I try not to be lonely. Getting lonely can also be stressful.
According to experts, stress shortens one’s life. It affects one’s mental and physical health. In fact, a lot of diseases are aggravated by stress. The most prevalent is cancer and lupus.
