STRESS STRESS MANAGEMENT PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS Presented by Professor
STRESS & STRESS MANAGEMENT: PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS Presented by: Professor Steven P. Dion Sport, Fitness and Leisure Studies Spdion@yahoo. com www. salemstate. edu/~sdion
So… What is Stress? Stress occurs when there is a substantial imbalance between the demands placed on you and your response capability under those conditions, and where the failure to meet those demands has important consequences. u STRESS CAUSES MORE STRESS n SIMPLY PUT - Stress is our bodies mental and physical response to change. n
What Would Life Be Like Without Stress? n Life would be BORING!! We’d probably be dead or really dumb. n Stress and our response to stressors has enabled us to be what we are today. n Without it – we couldn’t learn and/or adapt. u Eustress (good) and Distress (bad) u
WHEN STRESS GETS IN THE WAY How does stress negatively impact your life today, tomorrow, 10 -20 years from now? n Acute & Chronic Stressors u Acute stress – immediate – reactionary u Chronic stress – over a period of time = causes us STRAIN n
Physiological Response to Stress n Acute Stressors: We are animals designed to cope with this type of stress. Fight / Flight / F---- & F---- response u SURVIVAL OF THE FITIST Activation of the Stress Response: u ADRENALIN RELEASE t HR/ BP/ Sweat / Muscle Tension/ Increased Metabolism, Sugar & Fat Release etc. t A 3 -5 minute life or death explosion. u n
n Chronic Stressors: We are not optimally suited to cope with everyday nagging stressors without a release. u Our own defense mechanisms are making many of us sick. So – Stress can manifest itself in many ways in your life. For example: u Fatigue, Illness, Anxiety, Cranky & Moody, Argumentative, Forgetfulness, Muscle Tension, Headaches, Depression, & Feeling just plain CRAZY sometimes. u n
n So. . What can we do about it? Identify the stressors t Make a decision to either: ignore it, co-exist with it, or change it u Sometimes the stressor dictates the reaction t You may not want to quit your job, get a divorce or leave your family – but sometimes you need a break or an alternative. u Realize – You Come First – You MUST BECOME your number one priority t
Taking Action Recognize what’s causing the stress u Decide on an action u Examine the consequences of your action or lack of u Take action – either: ignore, cope, eliminate u Monitor your progress u Reevaluate the outcomes of your actions u Reward yourself ** u
STRESS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Traditional Methods Exercise / Yoga Diet habits Massage Religion/Spirituality Communication Alcohol Smoking (? ) Alternative Methods Rolfing Acupuncture Acupressure Reflexology Light therapy Sound therapy Meditation Relaxation
Ø HUMOR - The Ultimate Stress Reliever Ø Look for the laughter in your life Ø Use humor as a problem solving tool Ø Live a happier, healthier humor-filled life Ø Treat yourself with kindness Ø Smile at your imperfections Ø Find people to laugh with every day Ø Recognize change is hard Ø Prepare for predictable stressors Ø Laugh at the things you can’t control
n n n Look for the humor in your life u Humor is a skill that we need to practice u We take ourselves too seriously Use humor as a problem solving tool u Humor is being able to recognize two varying view points at the same time t A joke is a problem with a unique solution Live a happier, healthier humor-filled life u Humor helps build a stronger mind, body and spirit
n n n Treat yourself with kindness u We are more comfortable with negativity u Negativity is contagious and rewarded t When you’re down – people ask what’s wrong. Smile at your imperfections u Distorted view of yourself (That’s not my voice? ) u Negative Self-Talk – easy to doubt yourself (The misdirected wave) Find people to laugh with u Gravitate to those who make you laugh and shy away from those who bring doubt and misery into your life.
n Recognize – Change is hard u Realize the only person you can change is you. t Toilet paper role direction We are creatures of habit (the 3 minute routine) Prepare for predictable stressors (CRUNCH TIME) u Time constraints on our lives. u n t u Pictures and mementos to educe emotions of happiness t n Technologies leash To our memory – an emotion is as real as the event itself Laugh at the things you can’t control u Stress caused by 2 main things – fear and your choices of how to handle that situation.
Local Resources Exercise – the Wellness Center – Joe Dunn It’s Free for SSC students – 978 -542 -6551 n Massage Therapy – The Ivy Tree – Geri Costanza – 781 -631 -1875 - Marblehead n Acupuncture – Wellspring – Regina Gibbons – 781 -639 -0037 - Marblehead n Psychotherapist – Marblehead Counseling Center – 781 -631 -8273 – sliding scale fee n
ANY QUESTIONS THANK YOU FOR COMING & THANK YOU SSC PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
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