Presented by : OLA OSAMA KHALAF Assistant Lecturer of Psychiatry Cairo University
WHAT IS STRESS?
Stress is an internal reaction to events and circumstances that challenge us to make changes in our lives. There are both external and internal causes of stress.
External
Getting diagnosed with a serious illness
Moving
Failing a test
Having a baby
Losing a job
Being in an automobile accident
Being late for class
Having a fight with your boyfriend/girlfriend
Internal
Physical changes that occur in the body- Illness- Injury- Being in poor physical shape
Worrying excessively
Thinking negatively
Decision-making
Setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves/others
WHAT DOES STRESS DO TO US?
When we are stressed, our body responds in certain way called the Stress Response. The Stress Response includes the following bodily reactions:
Muscle tension
Increase in heart rate
Sweating
Rapid and shallow breathing
Increase in blood pressure
Cold and/or clammy hands and feet
Queasy stomach
Feeling fidgety
INEFFECTIVE COPING STRATEGIESBehavioral
Overeating
Consuming too much alcohol
Taking excessive drugs (legal and illegal)
Isolating
Acting out behavior (including physical aggression)
Quitting jobs, relationships, etc.
Procrastinating
Mental
Excessive worrying
Denying that a problem exists
Hardiness
Outlook
Listening to your body
Decreasing stress (if possible)
Unburdening yourself
Problem solving
EFFECTIVE COPING STRATEGIES
Get More Physical Exercise
Practice Relaxation
Develop Good Sleeping and Eating Habits
Find Activities That You Enjoy
Create a Support System - people who both give and receive love, affection, and support are better equipped to deal with stress. Taking the time to develop close relationships with other people is rewarding in many ways, both short-term, as well as long-term.
Changing Your OutlookThe perspective or the Attitude
If someone is always expecting the worst, or feels likethey are being controlled by other people, then thecontinuous challenges of life will undoubtedly cause alot of stress. Alternatively, people have the ability todevelop attitudes about life that make it less stressfuland more enjoyable.
( You Attract What You Think )
Develop a Sense of Humor About Yourself and Your Problems
Develop the Ability to Understand that Being Wrong or Making Mistakes is OK as Long as You Learn from It – many people have been taught that making mistakes means that they are stupid, bad, worthless, etc. This type of thinking leads to unnecessary stress.
Take Responsibility for Your Own Feelings – One of the most significant stressors for many people is the feeling that other people are controlling them. This type of feeling on a regular basis leads to feelings of powerlessness, hopelessness, and continual frustration.
Know Your Own Strength and Abilities – An in-depth awareness of, and belief in, your many strengths and abilities provide a feeling of confidence that you can cope effectively with stressors as they arise.
Understand and Accept the Fact that You Cannot Control Everything – many people believe that they need to control everyone and everything around them. Acceptance of the realities of life is a very effective for coping with stress
Decreasing Stress
Learn How to Say No
Don’t Take Work Home with You
Try to Limit the Number of Changes With Which You are Coping at any Given Time
Learn Time Management and Organizational Skills
Control Your Negative Thinking
Set Realistic Expectations for Yourself
Stop Procrastinating
Problem-Solving Techniques Set clear goals
Collect all the information needed to form a plan of action
Divide large tasks into smaller ones
Develop a schedule to complete tasks
Acknowledge your progress after each task is completed
Evaluate the effectiveness of your strategy and make any revisions to your plan as required
WAYS TO REDUCE/MANAGE STRESS
A. Eat well – avoid sugar, caffeine, junk food.B. Get enough sleep.C. Exercise on a regular basis.D. Don’t cram too many tasks into too little time.E. Plan each day’s activities ahead of time.F. Set priorities and stick to them as much as possible.G. Don’t let worries drain your energy.H. Give yourself a break – take some time every day to do something just for you.
I. Don’t procrastinate. If you have a large job to do, break it down into smaller tasks and do a little bit every day.J. Express your anger in constructive ways that do not hurt yourself or others.K. Take a hot bath or shower.L. Laugh!!!! Look for the humor in situations.M. Breathe deeply and slowly.N. Start meditating.O. Keep a journal describing your feelings.P. Take time off to get re-charged.Q. Listen to your favorite music.R. Go dancing.S. Remember that you don’t have to be perfect.T. If needed, talk to a counselor.
RELAXATION RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS
Sit in a comfortable place (do not lie down). You may sit in a chair, or on the floor with a cushion underneath you. Try to keep your shoulders back and your spine straight.
Make sure that the phone is unplugged, the door is closed, and your pets are absent.
Once you have settled into a comfortable position, begin to slow your breathing. Focus your attention on the inhalations as you breathe in, and the exhalations as you breathe out.
After you have taken several deep slow breaths, start to concentrate on taking the inhalations all the way down into your belly. If you are doing it correctly, as you inhale your belly should expand as if you are slightly pregnant. On the exhalation, your belly should return to its normal state. Continue to simply focus your attention on your breathing – each inhalation and exhalation.
It is quite normal for thoughts to come and go as you elicit the RR. Simply note that your mind has wandered, passively ignore the thoughts, and return your attention to your breath.
If you exercise regularly, try eliciting the RR immediately after you exercise – the sense of deep relaxation should come more easily.
It is generally advisable to elicit the RR twice a day for 20 minutes each session. If you simply cannot fit in a session, try focusing on your breath for even five minutes. The only “bad” RR session is the one not done.