Stress, Stress, Stress...

Hell ava Stress..  I am stressed the hell out of my mind..

Stress Stress Stress…  It’s a big killer.  This blog is about looking at the possible root cause of your stress.  It is not a clinical prognosis of what stress is or isn’t nor I am telling you how to cure or get rid of your stress. This is simply a discussion about stress.  Disclaimer out the way.  Anyone who has suffered from stress will tell you that it is not a nice feeling.  Medically it can cause heart failure, stroke, migraine, nausea just to name a few of the nasty little surprise it can leave you with if you don't keep it in check... No matter what angle you look at it from.  It isn't nice and All road leads to a serious toll on your health.

Everyone's interpretation of the world is different therefore what might stress one person might be water off a turtle's back to another.  No matter shape size or form stress comes it is an unhealthy and unwanted emotion.  There are several well-known things we can do to help manage stress but why get stressed in the first place.  There are certain things no matter how finely tuned you are it will stress you out.  For example, you are in a traffic jam and you need to get to the airport to catch a flight.  I've been there… No manner of deep breathing will cure that anxiety.  The only thing that will alleviate that stress is getting to the airport.  I've missed my flight a couple of times and believe me it's a double dose of stress.  The first stress is the crazy drive trying to get to the airport.  The second stress comes with the realisation that you've missed the flight and now have to sort out another flight.  Even more embarrassing is if you have someone meeting you at your destination. You need to let them know.  Now I will rather be at the airport 2 hours early than having the stress of missing the flight.  One way of managing that type of stress is making a plan and also having a contingency plan just in case things don't go according to plan.   

My definition of stress is that it is a state of mind that often harms your health and physiology. We often say I need to get away to recharge my battery.  When I am stressed my batteries need constant recharging.  My recharge mode is cooking, exercise, and music. Some people go for a walk, a swim, gardening, cooking, fishing, yoga, walking the dog, my friend B. goes to Salsa. To name but a few.  Whilst these things are worth their weight in gold.  The stress will never truly go away unless you try and deal with the root cause of it. Literally…  Simply put that means being true to yourself.  Sometimes you may not want to admit that the problem is what you know deep down in your heart what the issue is because either you don't want to admit or face the reality that is the issue.  Sometimes it can be hard getting to the real issue.  One simple technique is to go with your feeling/emotion.  If you are thinking about something and it makes you unhappy then that's a negative emotion you will need to take action to change that negative emotion into a positive one.

Sometimes when I am stressed I find myself having deep conversions with myself where I am offering reasoning and counter-reasoning.  Some might say that is the first sign of madness or another way to look at it is a problem aired is a problem halved.  Alternatively talking to someone else might help you put things into perspective.  It can also help by enabling you just to let it out your head in the form of some expression.  Believe it or not more often than not we have the actual solution to the thing that is stressing you out.  The answer is in us. Sometimes it just needs a little help getting out.  Answering the right questions can help you focus on finding a solution

Some questions you can ask yourself.

What would happen if I change the situation?

What would happen if I don’t change the situation?

What would I gain if I change the situation?

What would I lose if I change the situation?

Is the situation in my control?

What can I do immediately to change the situation?

Who can I go to for help?

Is the thing or situation making me ill?

Sometimes a resolution to stress might mean a change in mindset, a change of job, taking a new path, adopting a new approach or outlook, or even changing your partner.  Bottom line you need to be honest with yourself and take some form of action to achieve your desired outcome.  One approach could be to look at your current position and decide what are your choices and options.  Start with your most positive action that will work towards a solution and then take action.  Only by taking action that you will work towards getting rid of what is stressing you.

Finally I will conclude by saying you will start to feel better once you start taking action to relieve your stress.