Roadblocks to Stress

Do you control the stressors in your life?

Stress is the result of a demand that exceeds your resources to meet that demand. In other words, the demands that you feel are seen as threatening and overwhelming. Each day you experience stressors. You’re running late for work and you can’t find your keys; traffic is slow due to road construction and you can’t find a parking place. Do these scenarios sound familiar? These events lead to stress—the result of the demand exceeding your resources to meet the demand. What can you due to cope with stress?

Coping is to engage in thoughts or behavior as a response to stress, establishing strategies to help manage everyday stressors like those mentioned above. Stress begins with a life situation that knocks you out of balance. Coping strategies help you bring yourself back to balance after being nudged or shoved into disequilibrium caused a change in your life that requires you to adapt.

Intervention involves activities that prevent a stressor from resulting in negative consequences. Setting up roadblocks is the key to intervention. Roadblocks may include: positive thought patterns, meditation, exercise or a brisk walk. Setting up roadblocks between the life situation and your perception of the situation is the first step. Take the time to look at the situation realistically, not emotionally. Emotions drive feelings of fear, anxiety and self-doubt. For example, you receive an evaluation at work that does not meet your expectations. Your immediate reaction may be distressing because you fear being fired. This is a normal response but not a healthy response. Set up roadblocks and prevent this stressor from paralyzing you.

Self-talk is a technique that requires some objectivity. Talk yourself through the situation. Be objective and realistic not emotional.

This evaluation is helpful. This is an opportunity for me to adjust my thinking and behavior to meet the objectives discussed in my evaluation.

Re-label negative concepts of yourself and the situation. Focus on the positives, not the negatives.

I am not a failure at my current job. I recognize ways to improve my work performance.  I will work on the following…

Thought stopping is to shut off negative thoughts. Refuse to let negative thoughts continue by  controlling your thought patterns. Replace negative thoughts with a positive action.

I will not focus on the possibility of being fired. I will focus on improving my performance.

Environmental planning is also a helpful way to create roadblocks to stress. Evaluate your environment to avoid anxiety-provoking stimulus.

Distractions prevent me from focusing on the important aspects of my job and decrease my productivity. I will set time aside each day to review emails and correspondence.

Managing stress is simply exercising your ability to take control of your choices and actions. You are in charge of your behavior.  Changing others’ behavior may not be an option, but you can control how you react to their behavior. You have more control over yourself and daily stressors than you may think. Taking charge of yourself and the roadblocks to stress increases self-esteem and builds confidence.

The Empowerment Project   www.vikkicarrel.com