Categories of Stress Management Techniques
In compiling an extensive list of coping and stress management ideas, I realized that they all seem to fall into one of two categories: dealing with stress you already have, and avoiding new stress (or, minimizing it).
Let’s face it, some stress cannot be avoided. “Living a stress-free life” is a wonderful notion, but stuff happens over which we have no control. Perhaps we should change our perception and strive to “live a stress-minimized life” instead. Changing that one word in the dream lowers the bar and removes the pressure, which is a good example of avoiding new stress!
I think it’s important, however, to understand the two coping categories in order to put the topic in perspective so it seems less daunting. After all, if you try too hard to reduce your stress, that in and of itself can be stressful. The concept of only two types of strategies makes it sound easier and more manageable.
For purposes of illustration, let’s look at some examples of each type of technique. Forgiveness is a way of reducing stress that you already have because it frees you from things that are upsetting you. Exercise and mediation both take your mind off troubles, which is a way of coping with those troubles. They also have physiological benefits that help you to deal with the physical effects of stress on your body.
What about maintaining a positive attitude and steering clear of arguments with your spouse? It seems to me that those are good examples of avoiding new stress; if you maintain a positive attitude, things that might have otherwise bothered you will just pass on by. Arguments with anyone are stressful; arguments with your spouse are even more stressful. If you can decide that some things just aren’t worth it and then agree to disagree, you can end the argument with tempers and egos intact and without stressful baggage.
I will submit, however, that some techniques could be considered “crossovers,” in that they both reduce current stress and help you avoid new stress.
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what is stressful for one person is not necessarily stressful for another. Stress is defined as anything that requires adaptation or change of the organism.
There are all types of physical stressors--environmental (weather, toxins, pesticides, radiation and so on}. There are nutritional stressors, absence of adequate sleep, unhealthy habits and so on. Ones attitude and expectations can cause activation of the sympathetic nervous system for one person and not for another. Emotions can be a stressor--especially because most of us don't know how to handle them and spend more time tying to ignore them or pretend we're not feeling them--even happiness can be an issue or stressor leading to unhealthy responses.
I've operated a stress management clinic for over 20 years and have m any self help cds dealing with various aspects of stress, but one thing to remember is that stress can severely deplete the body's glutathione levels. And of course there's all kinds of stress such as pollution, habits such as smoking, drinking and so on, plus toxins in our food in addition to mental stressors. The body makes it's own glutathione but after age 20 it diminishes by a minimum of 10% each decade. Glutathione is responsible for protecting DNA, boosting immunity, reducing inflammation to name just a few things. Until three years ago there was nothing that could be done about it, today we now have a glutathione accelerator available.
I always said that the first defense against stress was deep breathing, but its actually glutathione.
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April 28, 2010 - 7:09pmThis Comment
Thanks for your article on some excellent stress management techniques. I also find it very helpful to use a stress diary. I find that a stress diary is a great way to construct stress management goals and also to identify what is causing stress (sometimes an issue for chronic stress which can be deceptive) and how you react to stress.
You can download a stress diary, and start to collect objective data on your stress.
All the best in your stress management goals
Kell
May 2, 2010 - 11:27pm