The Language Of Motivation (Completed)

Chapter 17: Coping with Stress

Inevitably, there are times of stress in our lives, no matter how long we've been in recovery. Sometimes, the stress is outside or around us. When the stress is external and internal, we experience our most difficult times.
During stressful times, we can rely more heavily on our support systems. Our friends and groups can help us feel more balanced and peaceful in spite of our stressful conditions. It may seem like there's nothing you can do about stress. The bills won't stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day, and your work and family responsibilities will always be demanding, but you have a lot more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that you're in control of your life is the foundation of coping with stress. Coping with stress is all about taking charge: of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, and the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful your life seems, there are steps you can take to relieve the pressure and regain control. If you're living with high levels of stress, you're putting your entire well-being at risk. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium, as well as your physical health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life. Coping with stress effectively on the other hand, helps you break the hold stress has on your life, so you can be happier, healthier, and more productive. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun—and the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on. Stress management is not one-size-fits-all. That's why it's important to experiment and find out what works best for you. Letting go also helps us to to live in a more peaceful state of mind and helps restore our balance. It allows others to be responsible for themselves and for us to take our hands off situations that do not belong to us. This frees us from unnecessary stress.
While people tend to reduce stress in familiar ways they've learned over time, those ways may not be good for their health. In fact, these healthier behaviors can have added effects and be longer lasting when trying to deal with stress and build resilience:
    • Make connections – Good relationships with family and friends are important. Make an attempt to reconnect with people. Accepting help and support from those who care about you can help alleviate stress.
    • Set realistic goals -Take small concrete steps to deal with tasks instead of overwhelming yourself with goals that are too far-reaching for busy times.
    • Keep things in perspective – Try to consider stressful situations in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Avoid blowing events out of proportion.
    • Take decisive actions – Instead of letting stressors get the best of you, make a decision to address the underlying cause of a stressful situation.
    • Take care of yourself – Pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Engage in activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Taking care of yourself helps keep your mind and body primed to deal with stressful situations.
Allow ourselves to be stress free. The situation that continues to stress you out, instead of allowing that to happen, find ways in which you can detach yourself from this abhorrent state. It will make a big difference in your life.