Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Beating stress without trying By Henrylito D. Tacio Health 101
DR. HANS Seyle, the world's premier stress researcher, said the term "stress" comes from the Old French and Middle English word "distress." He explained that the first syllable eventually was lost through slurring as when modern kids turned "because" into "cause."
Unfortunately, no one can escape from stress. According to Dr. Seyle, stress is the body's non-specific response to any demand made upon it.
"Sitting in a dentist's chair is stressful. But so is exchanging a passionate kiss with a lover - after all, your pulse speeds up, your breathing quickens, your heartbeat soars," he explains. "Yet who in the world would forgo such a pleasurable pastime (kissing) simply because of stress? Our aim shouldn't be to avoid stress completely, which would be impossible, but to recognize our typical response to stress and then to modulate our lives in accordance with it."
There are several ways of beating stress. Some pay attention to the foods they are eating. Others take vitamins and drugs. A few go on a long vacation. But these are expensive way of beating stress. There are methods which are free and don't much time.
Here are some of them:
1. Pray. William A. Ward explains: "We address and stamp a letter and send it on its way, confident that it will reach its destination, but we doubtfully wonder if our prayers will be heard by an ever-present God... If laser beams can cut through mountains, why should we doubt the power of prayer? Wonderful things can happen to us when we live expectantly, believe confidently, and pray affirmatively."
2. Go to bed on time and get up on time so you can start the day unrushed. What did Benjamin Franklin once said: "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."
3. Simplify your life. William Henry Channing: "To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never, in a word to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common, this is to be my symphony."
4. "Live one day at a time," urges Charles W. Shedd. "You can plan for tomorrow and hope for the future, but don't live in it. Live this day well and tomorrow's strength will come tomorrow." Also, the 'Daily Motivator' reminds: "As you go through this day, keep in mind what an incredible, irreplaceable, great experience life is. Wherever you go, whatever your circumstance, fill the moments with meaning and richness. Today is a special day, a day to be alive. Live it with joy, with wonder and intensity. Your great experience is happening now."
5. Learn to say "No." British Prime Minister Tony Blair pointed out: "The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes." Say "No," therefore to projects or programs that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
6. Do nothing. At least once during the day, take five or ten minutes to sit quietly and do nothing. "Studies show that the most stressful situations are things we can't control," says psychologist James Carmody, research director of the Center for Mindfulness at the University Of Massachusetts School Of Medicine. "We can't change the past. We can't predict the future. The only thing any of us can control is the present moment," he explains. "When people in our program practice this technique, they regain a sense of control and ease stress."
7. Get enough rest. "People often stay late in their offices," says Dr. Yue-Joe Lee, a physician and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at National Taiwan University Hospital. "Oftentimes, they're not aware of their sleeping problem."
8. Keep laughing. It seems laughter is the best medicine, at least when it comes to beating stress. That's because laughter makes the body produce endorphins, the body's natural physical and emotional painkillers. A study done by Lee Berk of the Loma Linda University School of Public Health in California has shown that a good laugh reduces levels of stress hormones. Laugh, laugh, and laugh some more.
9. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can) quickly. "Without forgiveness, life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation," said Roberto Assagioli. After all, as what Epictetus said, "Forgiveness is better than revenge, for forgiveness is the sign of a gentle nature, but revenge is the sign of a savage nature." To which Isaac Friedmann added, "Forgiveness is the sweetest revenge."
10. Have a good cry. It's one of the oldest and most effective responses to stress and it still works as well now as when Adam and Eve shed a tear over the stress of buying a new home. Not only crying but also yelling and other emotional outbursts may help release pent-up frustration and stress, suggests Dr. Emmett Miller, medical director of the Cancer Support and Education Center in Menlo Park, California. (For comments, write me at henrytacio@gmail.com)
