Stress: Do we Really Understand What it Means?
Stress is a fairly common term and if asked, most people can tell you what it means to them. For some it is the pressure or the everyday strain on the job. For others it's the constant worry over money. It's the worry over our children's safety. Fear of not meeting a deadline. It's the added tension over everyday hassles. Ask a hundred people what stress means and you will get a hundred different answers.
Pop Quiz
Stress is___________
A. A weapon used to beat us down.
B. A tool we can utilize in our quest for success.
C. None of the above.
D. Both A and B.
Understanding Stress
Many of us deal with stress on a daily bases. How we choose to handle it has a major impact on our lives. It plays a roll in our successes as well as our failures. With a better understanding of what it really means, we can make better choices on how to lower its impact, or utilize it to propel us above and beyond perceived limits.
Stress is actually a biological term. When a person does not respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats, real or imagined, stress it the result.
Levels of Stress
In small doses, stress can help us stay focused. It increases our energy level. The surge of adrenaline feels good. We're pumped, ready to take on the world.
As the pressure increases, the stress reaches the point where we can no longer cope with it in a positive way. We feel stressed out, no longer capable of handling it.
If the pressure doesn't ease, the situation will spiral out of control. We feel like the world is crashing down on us. The results can be devastating.
No two people handle stress the same way. Know your limits and take action before it gets out of control.
Common Stressors
There are many things that can lead to stress. Some are temporary such as pain caused by an accident. It can be extremely stressful but if the end is in sight, it's easier to bear. Others, such as worry over providing for our families. may be a low-grade worry, but one that can haunt us for years.
Pain
Death of a loved one
Conflicts
Divorce
Unemployment
Depression
Heavy drinking
Stressors are not always negative. Things we look forward to, or want to do can also add to our stress level as well.
Marriage
Changing jobs or promotions
Planning a vacation
Preparing for an addition to the family
Stress can come from any and all directions. The key is to know your limits and take steps to alleviate it before it spirals out of control.
Lower Your Stress
The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook (New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 12/22/2009) 
Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 12/22/2009)
10 Simple Solutions to Stress: How to Tame Tension And Start Enjoying Your Life
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 12/22/2009)
Transforming Stress: The Heartmath Solution For Relieving Worry, Fatigue, And Tension
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/22/2009)
Stress Free for Good: 10 Scientifically Proven Life Skills for Health and Happiness
Amazon Price: $13.25 (as of 12/22/2009)
Stress Busters
There are many things that can be done to lower our stress levels. Like the triggers of stress, it's an individual thing. What works for one may not work for another. Here are a few of my favorites. Some of them might work for you as well.
1. Get plenty of rest. Stress is harder to handle when we're tired.
2. Listen to soothing music.
3. Soak in the bathtub.
4. Read a good book.
5. Meditate
6. Sweat it out in the gym.
7. Organize your time. If I take a few minutes to plan my day, I can usually keep the monster from nipping at my heels.
8. If traffic is an issue, leave a few minutes earlier than planned. I HATE to be late. Its one of my triggers.
9. Delegate. Superman and Wonder Woman are not roll models to emulate. Ask for help when you need it.
10. Learn how to say NO. I know my limits and when I'm close to reaching them, I have no qualms about saying no. If it bothers you, think about how much would get done if you crash and burn.
There are several other possibilities and options. The key is to figure out what works best for you.
My Favorite Stress Busters
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Lower Your Stress With Music
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Stress. For people constantly on the go, it's a fact of life. There is always something to do and never enough hours in the day. Some people work well under stress. They thrive on the "Life in the Pressure Cooker." For most of us, a lit...
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Soothing Bath Salts
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When contemplating an evening home alone after a stressful day at work, many of us turn to a hot bath and a good book. Twenty minutes in the scented water soothes the soul. Thirty minutes and we feel the tension evaporating. An hour in the tub and we...
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Using Lists to Lower Your Holiday Stress
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The holidays are meant to be a season of peace and joy, and sharing that joy with friends and family has always been a high priority. Christmas heralds the birth of the Christ Child and the New Year represents a new beginning and renewed hope. Can yo...
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Lizzy's Bookshelf
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My first clear memory of reading was when I was in first grade. My teacher, Mrs. Gold, had set up a chart and for each book we read, we would get a gold star. I read three books that day. I don't have a clear memory of reading again until I was in...
How do you handle stress?
Do you have a plan in place for when stress is nipping at your heels?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byI have a supply of bath salts and aromatic candles, and a bottle of wine in the refrigerator.
susannaduffy says:
Hard to give an answer as I don't have bath salts etc - but I have a plan. I have a creek outside my back gate and wild creatures. A stroll down to the water's edge will calm me down (mostly)
Posted June 02, 2009
No, I just handle whatever is thrown my way.
Tipi says:
Candles and a long bath sounds right. I try to live in the now, and that sure does help. Not always easy to do though.
Posted January 07, 2009
Soothing Bath Salts
Take Control
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Finding Time
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I work full time, manage 196 lenses on Squidoo, an account on RedGage, two active blogs, post articles on Associated Content, have an assortment of affiliate accounts, read three to five books a week, and have a healthy, happy relationship with my fa...
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Living Within Your Means
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During these uncertain economic times, the average citizen is cutting back on their spending determined not to add to their debt load. They've cut back on their driving and added a few accessories to last year's wardrobe rather than buy a new one. Fo...
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Fitness: One Step at a Time
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Exercise is important. It helps us maintain a healthy weight. With a good exercise regime, we are less likely to lose bone density and we maintain muscle strength. It promotes a physiological well-being and strengthens the immune system. Walk &...
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The Art of Small Talk
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We have all been in situations that call for Small Talk. Your supervisor invites you to a little soiree. No one else in the office was invited. Did it mean you're slotted for the promotion? You know you need to go, you want to go, but your boss i...
How do you relieve the stress of everyday life?
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Reply
- davidstillwagon davidstillwagon Sep 10, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
- very nice lens about an important subject 5*
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Reply
- susannaduffy susannaduffy Jun 2, 2009 @ 10:25 am
- Another lovely lens from you and stress-reducing in itself
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Reply
- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie May 2, 2009 @ 8:03 am
- Yep -- looking back on the past two years of our lives, S-T-R-E-S-S has certainly been the defining quotient. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger -- my mantra.
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Reply
- Tipi Tipi Apr 5, 2009 @ 7:39 am
- I relieve stress by visiting this lens! :) - Seen your tweet a bit ago!
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Reply
- dignan62 dignan62 Jan 25, 2009 @ 3:12 pm
- I play on the computer, which helps as long as my computer is working well. My stress level has been going up now that Caitlyn is mobile.
- Load More
About the Author
Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 4,015 lenses, favorited 445, and has created 200 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "2009 Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments". See all my lenses
Celtic Meditation Music
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by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
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