The Top 10-Sources of Stress
Psychology Today recently published an article on the effects of stress on our bodies and health. I think it’s long been a proven fact that stress affects your health and can be detrimental to your body.
Ask people why they’re stressed, and they’re likely to say that it’s the internal deadlines, too much work and too little staff, or perhaps the family’s over packed schedules.
While these can certainly add to a pressure-cooker atmosphere, they’re not the greatest cause. At fault, more than anything, is the tremendous internal pressure and anxiety that we create for ourselves through the following behavior patterns…what we call the top 10-sources of stress:
1. Self-Criticism
Tame your inner critic, focus on your strengths and forgive yourself.
2. Powerlessness
We are all powerful beyond measure. Open your eyes, and see all the choices available to you.
3. Perfectionism
Do your best, but let the elusive “perfect” go.
4. Worry
Faith and action are the best antidote to worry, especially about situations we cannot control.
5. Unrealistic Expectations
Life can never be problem-free…our outlook can.
6. Insecurity
What we need to be emotionally secure, is inside each one of us. Stop looking to others to provide it.
7. Hurrying
Try walking slower, chewing slower, and working at a steady, but not frantic, pace. You might be surprised to find yourself performing better.
8. Comparing to Others
The question should be whether you have met your own standard.
9. Pessimism
When we expect the best from life, life has a way of handing it to us (even when it may first look like the worst).
10. Competition
Try turning every encounter into a win-win situation rather than a win-lose one.
If you find that you engage in several of the behaviors above, don’t try to change them all at once; that will just create more stress.
Pick one, and for the next week, focus on changing that behavior. At the end of the week, notice how changing that behavior changed your stress level.
I picked #7 to work on last week. I purposely focused on slowing down. Anytime I felt a need to hurry, I took a deep breath and reminded myself I can only do one thing at a time.
I felt better…more relaxed at the end of each day, and I got more accomplished. By slowing down my mind and body and handling one thing at a time, I remembered more details and accomplished more on my ‘to do’ list.
Here’s a challenge for you this week:
Select one of the sources above that cause you unnecessary stress, and make a point to focus on changing your mindset around it. Try focusing on just one of the sources above for a week, and let me know how you do. Email me, and let me know if it was hard or if you got stuck!
If you feel constantly stressed and need simple and effective techniques to help you take control over daily stress, you might benefit from the Distress Less Program; a self-regulated online program.
This program is only an hour and 20-minutes long, and you can complete it at your own pace. It comes complete with worksheets and recordings. This program quickly and easily teaches you how to change the chemical process so that the body can return to a state of balance and perform at peak levels.
Author’s content used under license, ©2008 Claire Communications
