FEEL DISTRESSED? DON'T BE!

What is stress?
Some psychologists define stress as follows, stress is an internal state which can be caused by physical demands on the body (disease condition, exercise, extremes of temperature and the like) or by environmental and social situations which are evaluated as potentially harmful, uncontrollable, or exceeding our resources for coping (Morgan, King, Weisz, Schopler, Introduction to Psychology 1986). As the experts state, stress can be caused by physical and social situations.


Are you distressed? How about you? Do you feel that you have been under pressure for the past few days? Do you feel distressed these days? Let's check it out by taking the following quiz. Please tick in the "Yes" if you experience or feel as described in the statement. On the other hand, place a tick in the "No" if you do not experience or feel as described in the statement.

1. These last few days I'm easily irritated about almost anything.
Yes No

2. I find it hard to concentrate on my daily activities.
Yes No

3. It seems that I'm becoming more and more forgetful.
Yes No

4. I often find it difficult to make decisions.
Yes No

5. I often wake up in the morning and find my self so tired just to begin the day.
Yes No

6. Lately, I'm in the mood for eating most of the time.
Yes No

7. For the past few days, I don't have the appetite to eat anything.
Yes No

8. I need extra effort (more than usual) to start doing my daily routines.
Yes No

9. I can't sleep well.
Yes No

If you ticked "Yes" for at least 5 statements, then at the moment you are stressed.



Source: http://blogymate.com/post.aspx?blogid=359&t=How-to-Relieve-Stress---My-Top-3-Tips-


What can we do to cope with stress?Everyone has their own way to cope with stressful situations. There are various ways to solve this problem. Following are some steps you can use to deal with stressful situations.

1. Play sports! Never have the right time, or the right reason to do your favorite one? Do it now! An expert says that physical activity (for about 30 minutes) causes your brain to create a hormone which will influence your mood positively.

2. Laugh, guys! Yes, there is a saying that says "laughter is the best medicine". Laughing can make your day. If you are stressed, try some jokes, watch a comedy movie, or try to remember a situation that made you laugh.

3. There are times when we need somebody to 'let it all out'. Contact a friend whom you can talk with, just to let it out. Sharing your problems with somebody is halfway to solving them.

4. Experience something 'new'. Do you always eat the same food for lunch? Choose another kind of food. Do you always hang out at the same place? Try another place, with another activity.

5. Take some time to do your hobby. Do you love to play electronic games? In-line skating? Play guitar? Just do it.

6. Find the root of the problem, and try to solve it. Take some time to contemplate, rethink about what happened. Do some introspection, and try to find the solution. Then, discuss it with somebody you're comfortable with, e.g. friends, brothers or sisters, parents, to find and apply the best possible solutions.

7. If you still feel distressed after trying the steps above, consult a professional. Who? A counselor or psychologist. You can find counselors at schools (the guidance and counselor teacher), on a hot line service, e.g. Sahaja. Psychologists are at a psychological practice service, e.g. "Lembaga Psikologi Terapan UI" at the campus of UI Salemba, Jakarta.

Okay now. Ready for the next day? You should be. Don't let your problems linger. Do something about it, and do it right now!

"Nothing last forever - not even your troubles." Arnold Glasow.



By:
Psi. Paula Beatrix Rusly
Source:
C`nS, Volume 1 no 3 / October - November 2001

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