| If you don't handle stress it can make | | | | least. |
| you feel tired, drained and depressed - | | | | With the stressors identified and |
| it can also kill you. Here are some | | | | graded, you now can create a system to |
| simple stress management tips to help | | | | manage the stress. |
| you combat stress and preserve your | | | | Grade 1 Stressors and Actions Required |
| health. | | | | For all grade 1 stressors, you must find |
| Stress management is the active and | | | | a way to either eliminate or extricate |
| constant correction to your body and | | | | yourself from the stressor source. |
| mind to the forces of stress and | | | | If the grade 1 stressor is your boss, |
| pressure. | | | | you may need a new job. |
| The worst form of stress is the daily, | | | | If it's a mother-in-law interfering in |
| repetitive and constant stress from any | | | | your happy home life, you may need |
| source. | | | | affirmative action. |
| It makes your body constantly react, | | | | Take the list of grade 1 stressors, and |
| release hormones and enzymes into your | | | | put a workable solution next to each |
| circulatory system, and in the end, | | | | item. |
| destroys your immune system altogether. | | | | Re-read the list, and consider the |
| Learn to manage stress now, and you can | | | | alternative of not acting on removal of |
| avoid that heart attack and stroke, just | | | | the stressor. |
| waiting to happen. | | | | If you get a heart attack or stroke, |
| How Does Someone Know They are Stressed | | | | your life may be over. Acting now can |
| Many people do not know they are | | | | save your life. |
| suffering from stress and the effects of | | | | Grade 2 to 5 Stressors |
| stress. | | | | For the lesser graded stressors, do |
| A few simple self-tests, and you can see | | | | exactly as you have done for the grade 1 |
| if you are both stressed and suffering | | | | stressors, but you do nothave to be so |
| from stress. During any time of the day, | | | | critical as you were for the very |
| do a body survey. | | | | negative stressors. |
| Are you hands clenched? Do you have | | | | If a grade 2 stressor happens to be a |
| "nervous leg" (leg moving up and down | | | | neighbor's annoying cat, you might |
| with the ball of the foot as a pivot)? | | | | counter the stress by listening to music |
| Is your face tense? | | | | you enjoy (and not removing the cat, |
| Is there some pains in your shoulders or | | | | which you might find impossible to do |
| arms that should not be there? Test you | | | | anyway). |
| pulse? Is it over 80 beats per minute | | | | Be less critical, but nevertheless, even |
| when you are at rest? | | | | in grade 5 stressors, find a workable |
| Do you have high blood pressure? If any | | | | solution. |
| of these answers are a yes, you can be | | | | Stress First Aid |
| sure you are being stressed and | | | | If you find your hands clinched, or your |
| suffering from stress. | | | | face tensioned, take one minute "time |
| Identify the Stressors | | | | out". Sit quietly and relax the tensed |
| It is very crucial, both for your | | | | and stress reacted areas. |
| health, and well-being, to be able to | | | | Consciously relax the part of you that |
| identify the stressors in your life. It | | | | is stressed. |
| is not really difficult. Start now. | | | | This minute is for you. If you can't |
| Make of list of all those people, | | | | find a quiet place to go, use the |
| situations, and factors that cause you | | | | bathroom. |
| stress. | | | | Put some cold water on your face and |
| Make the list first in any order. | | | | wrists. Sit for a moment till you are |
| Then when you finish all the items that | | | | calm. Do this any time you see yourself |
| are stressors, you must grade them form | | | | stress and tense. |
| 1 to 5, 1 being the worst, and 5 the | | | | It could save your life. |