(According to Webster s Dictionary) Stress is: Pressure; strain; hence, urgency; importance The same way that pressure on your body while working out builds muscles stress can build character and strength. If P = Pressure, and R = Resources, then Stress is when the P>R. When the pressure outweighs the resources, we begin to feel the symptoms of stress.
Without stress, we wouldn t be here (Childbirth is Stressful!) Raising children is stressful Classes are stressful Work is stressful Deadlines are stressful Life is stressful If everyone always agreed, then perhaps we d all be narrowminded Learn to say yes to the person, but no to the task Stress will always be there you may as well deal with it
How many F s do you see in the following sentence? FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE- SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF- IC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS. Point is that we all interpret things in our own way. Avoid thinking that it is Me vs. Him/Her/Them
Worry Procrastinate Find Scapegoats Stay on the defensive Attack people, rather than ideas Make people into your own fixer-uppers Self-Medicating Setting unrealistic standards Not managing time efficiently Not setting goals
Perspiration Increased Heart Rate Increased Blood Pressure Decreased digestion Rapid Breathing Inability to maintain focus
Relax and be loose if you need 15 minutes to get to class, schedule in 30. Always leave yourself wiggle room Never commit to things you cannot absolutely follow through with Do not be afraid to not take the lead on everything Sometimes the best place to sit is on your hands It s okay to admit something is too much of a responsibility/commitment Rather than delegate, let people choose their tasks as this often makes for more productive output from everyone involved Realize doing 10 things half-assed is worse than doing just 2 things effectively
Fail to plan, and you plan to fail Sync your schedules keep a paper planner as well as electronic and make sure to update both accordingly Prioritize no one on their deathbed ever wishes they dusted more Celebrate doing things you could have put off Fill in time saved with leisure activities
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. (From the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr) Every morning you decide to wake up Every morning decide to have a good day Take the time to be thankful for what you have Limit the time you complain about things
Pencil yourself into your schedule Make your own mini-vacation Enjoy happiness boosters Balance - Do not let future success come at the sacrifice of current happiness Put things into perspective Love yourself nobody else can do it better!
Reducing stress is a job take inventory Determine what is critical and what isn t List things according to their importance Learn what you can change, and learn what you cannot change Do not waste your time on things you cannot be effective at changing Take a deep breath, mediate
Eat to live rather than live to eat Replace comfort foods with activities Savor the flavor slow down and actually enjoy your meals Make meals that allot for extra, to save time by not having to prepare food later Eat more meals, with smaller portions
As student leaders we give our time, effort, and hard work to others Don t be afraid to give a hug Don t be afraid to share something that may cheer someone up Don t be scared of how positive an impact you can leave on someone else You don t need a reason to show a kind gesture Remember to share credit make people feel appreciated
When conversation is not constructive, do not be afraid to end it and resume it later, when everyone is calm Accept criticism, and explain to the person what you think they said Find any positivity in things that you can, and then move on, on a less sour note
Make goals immediate, short-term, and long term Aim high nobody ever planned for straight D s and made the honor roll Be realistic use disappointment as a learning experience, not a deterrent for action Remember the ABC s of reducing stress: A Awareness B Balance C Control
Eat a healthier diet Increase Exercise Try to get sleep on a regular basis Take your time Engage in leisure activities Try not to live beyond your means Reduce alcohol consumption Open Friday s mail on Monday
Write down all that you should have done Analyze opportunities you could have created Analyze outcomes you would have created Devise a new plan from what you ve written Let failure=new opportunity. Pat yourself on the back Be optimistic! When you feel better, you do better!
Nobody does it alone Identify areas for improvement Identify beneficial and non-beneficial behavior Birds of a feather Look at your 5 best friends, if you are the most accomplished of them all make some new friends If you want to be a judge, don t surround yourself with criminals Express when you need to talk or simply need to vent Find a safe zone Let go of your pride!
Acupuncture Aromatherapy Biofeedback Counseling Dance Exercise Hypnotherapy Kung Fu Massage Meditation Pet Therapy Poetry Yoga Anything that helps you realize, release, and relax