Managing Stress

1. Managing Stress Chris Nihil, MA, CEAP Assist U Employee Assistance Services

2. Life Energy “Our life energy is our allotment of time here on earth, the hours of precious life available to us . . . it is limited and irretrievable . . . our choices about how we use it express meaning and purpose of our time here on earth.” Joe Dominguez & Vicki Robin

3. Stress • Is the state of dynamic tension created when you respond to perceived demands and pressures from outside and from within yourself

4. Stages of Stress • Stage One – Optimal Functioning • Stage Two – Symptomatic • Stage Three - Survival

5. Stress • Good vs. Bad Stress • Predictable vs. Unpredictable

6. Signs and Symptoms of Stress

7. All or Nothing Thinking Emotional Reasoning Should Statements Labeling Personalization and Blame Overgeneralize Mental Filter - Negative Discounting the Positive Jumping to Conclusions Magnification or Minimization Distorted Thinking

8. Choices • About ourselves: • Choices - power/outcome • Perceptions • Expectations • Judgements • Emotions

9. Techniques • I can control: • My thoughts • My responses • My ability to enhance my health, my work, my relationships

10. Perception • Often the way we see the problem, is the problem.

11. Expectations • “We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are” • The Talmud

12. Judgments • We often rush to judgment before we have all of the facts

13. Stress Management Techniques • Take time out • Process your feelings • Understand your physical reactions • Take action: • Do something physical, soothing for yourself • Do something mentally/emotionally soothing for yourself