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STRESS - The Positive Side
Written by Deborah Allen, owner of Prana Wellness
STRESS, STRESS, STRESS,
it seems to be everywhere, at work, at home and even within
ourselves creating conflict.
What is stress anyway?
Stress is the reaction your mind and body has in response to
physical or mental demands. There are many types of stress, here
we will touch on Negative and Positive. Positive stress can be a
motivator for those who have learned how to identify and utilize
it beneficially. Positive stress can be a stimuli that promotes
energy and peak performance in the face of negative arousal
known as negative stress. Negative stress can threaten
productivity, interpersonal relationships and self esteem etc.
A classic example of how beneficial positive stress can be
occurs when an individual is preparing in advance for a test,
deadline or speech. With properly planned steps, an individual
can prepare themselves to perform well under pressure, realize
higher potential even positively push their limits and grow,
they prepare for the event instead of worrying.
What Can You Do To Capitalize On Positive Stress?
1.
Learn how to anticipate, monitor and regulate stressors – TRY to
be aware of your environment.
2.
Be aware of your interpretations of what you believe are
stressors – See things REALISTICALLY.
3.
Practice daily routines that incorporate positive self talk and
mental or physical relaxation exercises.
4.
When confronted with arousal/stimuli have a calm/positive
response prepared. – See #1 above
5.
Recognize early signs of mental and physical distress that will
allow negative stress to take hold i.e. tiredness, hunger,
illness etc.
6.
Have positive reactions to negative arousal/stimuli rather than
destructive reactions that heighten distress. Go for a walk,
take a moment away from the computer, get a glass of water, have
a positive self chat and praise yourself for doing a good job.
7.
Maintain positive health buffers like good eating and sleeping
habits, as well as being able to communicate well with friends,
family and coworkers.
A Stress reaction is also a learned pattern, something we do
without thinking when given a particular stressor. Stress
patterns are how you physically and emotionally respond to any
type of perceived stress, negative or positive.
Learn how to listen to the signals your body gives you to
identify your stress patterns and take steps necessary to modify
them if needed. See “I THINK I CAN”
Here is a 5 minute exercise to do while in the midst of a
stressful situation with another individual. Try this until you
have patterned a response your body will not suffer from. Teach
yourself the new trick of how to react!
At the sign of what may be a heightened emotional response
during a confrontation, remain in control! Instead of jumping
into the conversation to continually defend your point, quietly
drop out of the conversation or argument! Do this calmly and not
impassioned, you will have won! When you divorce yourself from
the energy vortex at hand you defuse negativity. Give the
impression you are listening intently. Fix your gaze slightly
away from or above the head of the other individual, either to
the left or right of them (not so as they would see you are not
looking directly at them) and gently begin to breathe deeply.
They’ll think they’re being listened to, however your will be
consciously attending to calming yourself. You should notice
your stress level dropping and possibly that of the other
individual too.
Whatever the circumstance or outcome of confrontations or
stressful situations, observe the issues of yourself and others
and do the best to make the outcome positive for yourself and
comfortable for others.
We can be the source of our own stress. We can create it by not
accepting ourselves. Some of us choose to focus on our perceived
shortcomings instead of our positive attributes. Choose the
right one and maintain a positive balance.
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About the Author
Deborah Allen is the owner of Prana Wellness Ltd.
a holistic spa and wellness studio.
Tel: 416.850.6615
Website:
www.pranawellness.com
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