Living on the Edge: Stressed Out and Nowhere to Go

Is your stress level higher than it should be? Are you struggling with changes in life that you neither anticipated nor caused? If so, keep reading! Most of us carry far more stress than did our parents and grandparents. Life seems more complicated than ever. Nothing is certain, reality is artificially produced, and fantasy is real. No wonder we're confused!

Various life changes are assigned Life Crisis Units (LCUs). Stressors are cumulative, therefore, the more stressful situations you face, the more dangerous your stress becomes. The negative consequences of stress might be the result of one big event or the cumulative result of several smaller events.

The key is to be aware of the dangers associated with unmanaged stress. For instance, the following life events contribute to your stress. The number in parentheses indicates the Life Crisis Units associated with that event.

Death of a spouse (100)

Divorce (73)

Personal illness or injury (53)

Fired at work (47)

Retirement (45)

Change of financial state (38)

A large mortgage or loan (30)

Trouble with in-laws (29)

Trouble with boss (23)

Change in church activities (19)

Christmas (12)

The list is much longer, but you get the point. Here's the deal-people who score over 300 LCUs are 80% more likely to be sick as a result of their stress. People who score 200-299 are 50% more likely to get sick. And people who score 150-199 are 33% more likely to get sick.

So, stress has health-related consequences. What can you do to manage stress? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Eliminate sources of stress that can be eliminated. Don't continue to do something that poses a potential health risk.

2. Seek counsel to help deal with your stress. A friend of mine recently lost his job. During his conversations with his friends he discovered that most of them had lost their jobs at one point. They, therefore, were able to encourage him through a difficult time.

3. Fix what you can; ignore what you can't fix. Worrying about things you can't change is a senseless waste of time and effort. Don't give your energies to situations you can't directly impact.

4. Redirect your energies away from stress and toward positive people and activities. Sitting around thinking about being stressed is not a solution to your stress. Begin a hobby, clean out a closet, go for a walk, or take a trip to the library or local coffee shop. Do something positive to help you put the stressful situations out of your mind.

Life is plenty stressful; it's important that we learn to manage stress so that we can help others deal with their stresses. Think about it!

Dr. Terry Hadaway is a freelance writer and university professor who has numerous books and articles to his credit. You can learn more about his work at http://www.thinkezine.com

---

7 Successful Stress Management Techniques

Everyone needs successful stress management techniques. Easy to learn and... Read More

How to Recognize Stress Before it Turns Into Anger

After a stressful day as a computer programmer, Jim pulled... Read More

Over 35 Ways of Controlling Stress: Absolutely Necessary to Control Smoking and Weight!

* Play Romane's stress control seminar recordings, and read "The... Read More

Technology and Stress- How to Prevent Technology From Taking Over Your Life

1. 5-minute rule. How many times do we say, "This... Read More

Stress Impacts Your Health

Health Impacts of StressStress is a funny concept, try to... Read More

Quick Steps On Handling Stress

Looking for some quick stress relief?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More

Treat Your Anxiety Disorder Effectively

If you find symptoms of anxiety disorder in any of... Read More

Stress Can Create Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder

Stress can affect virtually any part of the body and... Read More

There is no Such Thing as Good Stress

Q: What is Stress?A: Very basically it is the physical,... Read More

Worry: Do We Have A Choice?

As Montaigne said, "he who fears he will suffer, already... Read More

Dealing With Frustration

If you're like most people, you have your bouts of... Read More

Stress Management: 4 Steps to Massive Stress Relief by Having Fun

Over the years I've collected scores of comics and cartoons... Read More

Rested? The Three Keys to Finding True Rest, Just in Case

What do you think of when you see that word?... Read More

Squeeze To Relax!

This heading may seem like a contradiction in terms. How... Read More

How to Cope With Stress and Anxiety

Among the hardest parts of living in the modern world... Read More

3 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress

Stress, America's #1 health problem, is a leading cause of... Read More

Just Moved -- and Miserable!

Q. Help! I moved from the Dallas to Denver. I... Read More

Fighting For Your Life

Recently the well known American news anchor Peter Jennings died... Read More

Moving Through Breakdowns with Transformation

Success in recovery, or rather, staying in recovery, is dependent... Read More

Stress Management: An Owners Manual for Your Brain

Here's an amazing quote from Time magazine:"At birth a baby's... Read More

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About How to Get a Life, But Didnt Know Whom to Ask

Question 1"How do I get more time to play?"Answer: Schedule... Read More

Stress Management and Mastery: 3 Tools You Can Use

Q:We recently had someone come to our company to talk... Read More

Create Reserves for a Stress Free Life

One of the ways I have avoided a lot of... Read More

The 3 Rs of Taking a Vacation Without Leaving Home

This summer, get away, without going away. Take a mini... Read More

Rising to the Top: Overcoming Bad Situations

We've all been there, right? We find ourselves living with... Read More

Stress Management: Are You a Workaholic - Humorous View

As we celebrate yet another Labor Day, I thought it... Read More

Anger Management: Are You Able To Say Both Yes! And No! ?

I hear from many people that they see ever increasing... Read More

Stress Managment: Worry is the Prescription for an Ulcer

Have you ever listened to someone, perhaps even to your... Read More

Bite-Size Chunks! The Power Of Daily Actions

There may be so much you want to change in... Read More

Stress Management and Mastery: The Power of REST

Rest.It's a good thing to do. As the story goes,... Read More

Reclaim Your Life - Extraordinary Self-Care Day

When was the last time you took a day just... Read More

8 Practical Methods to Remain Empowered During Stressful Times

1. Acknowledge that requesting support, guidance and partnership is not... Read More

Control Stress or It Will Control Your Business

When we think about stress in the workplace, we usually... Read More