Stress is simply resisting what is, and the resistance can
produce exhaustion, high blood pressure, visual difficulties, headaches and
more. If it goes above certain levels, we can become prone to diseases.
Experts believe that stress is a “non-specific response of
the body to a demand”. The body responds to stress by going through the stages
of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Psychologists and spiritual teachers
believe that resistance is the operation of ego which prevents letting go of
holding on to ourselves. The result is obsession with an issue and continuous
suffering.
According to the International Critical Incident Stress
Foundation, stress is followed by physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral
reactions. The reactions can be acute, chronic, or delayed but no two people
are likely to experience the exact same combination of reactions to any given
stressors. When stress becomes prolonged or frustrating it becomes a distress.
Distress is always followed by acute physical or mental suffering.
Stress is with us all the time and it is unique and personal
to each of us. It is so personal, in fact, that what may be relaxing to one
person may be stressful to another. The American Institute of Stress has an
inventory of stressful life events which is worth checking it out and using it
for yourself or others accordingly. http://www.stress.org/holmes-rahe-stress-inventory/
There are 43 items on the above mentioned scale with
different point values. The life event with the highest point value of one
hundred is the death of spouse. The event with the lowest point value of eleven
is minor violations of the law. You can add up all the points you have within
the past 12-18 months in order to find your stress score. The scores are interpreted
based on the available guidelines in the stress scale document.
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The steps to deal with stress are as follows:
- Explore and expose your stress by asking yourself what is it that I am resisting? What is it that is not working for me?
- Acknowledge your stress and retreat with acceptance. Don’t try to be right rather than being objective and considerate of the existing facts.
- Dissociate from the problem by taking a break and doing something different.
- Make it easier for yourself by not staying alone and by sharing your concerns with close friends.
- Deal with your stress by decreasing the load of your work and by making time for some relaxation, reflection, walking meditation and similar activities.
- Discipline yourself, cry if you need to, and avoid self-medication.
- Ask yourself why am I in this situation, what am I learning? Your answer to this question is the key to your healing.
#dealingwithstress, #stressinventory, #distress
