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