DEALING WITH STRESS

STRESS

J. Maurus

Stress is a common dimension of wellness which includes the ability to handle the stresses that inevitably occur in one’s life.

At one time or another we all deal with stress-producing events. What is not understood is that stress can result from positive events as well as negative ones.

Drs Thomas Holmes and Masada Monoru developed an instrument called “The Life Change Scale”. They have identified the events of various value counts which contribute to human stress. We have adapted it to the Indian context, and arranged it according to the decreasing value count:

Death of a spouse
Divorce
Marital separation from mate
Detention in jail or other institution
Death of a close family member
Major personal injury or illness
Marriage
Being fired at work
Marital reconciliation with mate
Retirement from work
Major change in the health or behavior of a family member
Pregnancy
Sex difficulties
Gaining a new family member
Major business readjustment
Major change in financial state
Death of a close friend
Son or daughter leaving home
Trouble with in-laws
Changing to different line of work
Taking out a mortgage or loan
Major change in responsibilities at work
Outstanding personal achievement
Trouble with the boss
Wife beginning or ceasing work outside the home
Beginning or ceasing formal schooling
Change in residence
Revision of personal habits
Major change in social activities
Major change in eating habits
Minor violations of the law.

DEALING WITH STRESS
J. Maurus

Walt Schaefer in his text Stress, Distress and Growth suggests the following ways of dealing with stress:

1. Take time for relaxation. This may involve a walk in the woods, visiting a museum, reading a book or listening to fine music.
2. Move through the day slowly. Take time to experience the beauty of the environment.
3. Allow time for the unexpected. This often means scheduling fewer tasks so the person can deal with such events when they occur.
4. Leave early enough so there is no need to rush to get to a destination.
5. Select activities and challenges that are meaningful so there is an avoidance of time and energy consumption.
6. Slow the pace of talking, walking, eating, and breathing.
7. Find time each day to exercise.
8. Find a good fit between one’s personal needs and the demands of the environment such as job, family, friends, neighbors, and household duties.
9. Become more aware of the stressors in the environment. The above scale will assist in this task.
10. Know your values, priorities and limits.