We figured March would be a good time to bring up stress. Things seem to rev up at this time of the year. Our schedules are maxed out, and we are ready for nice weather, outdoor time, even just plain lounging around. Meanwhile . . . stress. What can we do about it NOW? Go ahead, try the 1+3+10 rule right now:
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1. Tell yourself inside your head to be calm.
2. Take THREE deep, slow breaths from your tummy.
3. Count slowly to TEN inside your head.
THE GOOD
Now that you’re calm, I want to start off by saying that . . . stress is not always a bad thing. Stress, by definition, is “a state of arousal that involves both the mind and the body in response to demands.” A little stress or tension is required to grow and learn, maximize potential, maybe even get into the flow of using our skills and passions.
It also can be a wake-up call that something isn’t working well and act as the catalyst for being attentive to what needs attention. I remember the degree of tension I needed to feel when preparing to run a good 10K or play tennis well. Too little, and I just couldn’t cut it. Too much, and I was jittery and couldn’t get in my groove.
We all know too much stress is harmful. But too little stress can also be harmful, leading to a life of boredom, listlessness, and “stuck-ness.” The following graph says it all. Having no anxiety puts us in the “Comfort or Boredom zone.” Where we really want to spend our days is with moderate stress and challenge–where health, happiness, and performance are optimized.
THE BAD The stress that comes with procrastination also can blow up on you. One of my favorite behaviors is procrastination. I say “favorite,” because I keep doing it over and over–so I must get something out of it. I think I value the energy surge I get after procrastination, when deadlines hit. With the panic of the deadline, adrenalin flows and I get the job done. But then there’s a long-term problem: I feel exhausted afterward and am not good for anything but vegging out. Then the next deadline hits, and I rev up again. Don’t always make it. Sloppy job. Maybe I spread my pain to people around me and scream to be rescued. It has been known to happen. THE UGLY SO, WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?
To delve deeper into managing your stress, be sure to check out our “emPOWER TOOL” this month, Fighting Invisible Tigers: A Stress Management Guide for Teens (and us). Here are some of the tips offered:
Dale Carnegie also wrote a great book about stress and worry that’s worth having on your bookshelf: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living: Time Tested Methods for Conquering Worry. In fact, if you consider yourself an anxious person, this may be the best $14 you’ll ever spend! Carnegie tells us:
Byron Katie’s Loving What Is also has a great process to address worries, especially those future disaster stories we make up and then worry about. Although the book is fantastic, to get a sneak peak at Katie’s work, download her free booklet. My last suggestion to minimize stress and maximize living comes from my current book club read, Buddha’s Brain: “Happiness is taking action now!” Here’s to taking action now! Dr. Kathy |