Stress Management

Stress is a state of affair involving demand on physical and/or mental energy. Whenever the demand exceeds the supply/resources, stress will crop up. Extreme stress can, therefore, be detrimental to our physical and mental health. Though there is a school of thought affirming that certain types of stress can be positive by increasing competitiveness, stress has a negative connotation in the practical world.

Why is it annoying and why is it necessary to contain stress: Stress will result in the release of Stress Hormones like Adrenalin and Cortisone which will trigger a series of biochemical reactions in our body. Stress can thus cause head ache, irritable bowl syndrome, eating disorders, anorexia (loss of appetite), insomnia (loss of sleep), heart ailments, hypertension and a host of other diseases.

 Stress Management: It is the lowering of stress, particularly, chronic stress, by suitable techniques.

Models of Stress management: There are two major models of Stress Management:

1. Transactional Model: This has been propounded by R.Lazarus and S.Folkman. According to this model, stress is the result of how a stressor (which causes the stress) is perceived and how a person perceives his/her resources to cope with the stressor. It proposes that, if stresses are seen as positive /challenges and, not as threats, and, if the person concerned is confident that he/she has adequate strategies/resources to cope with the condition, stress need not follow the presence of a potential stressor.
2. Health Realization Model: As different from the Transactional model, this model proposes to face the world with a quiet mind, internal wisdom and common sense

Techniques of Stress management/Destressitizers:

1. Time Management: Some techniques of time management will help control stress.
2. Be Assertive: During the times of high demands, set limits and say an emphatic NO to some demands made by others.
3. Autogenic Training: It is a relaxation technique developed by J.Schultz, and it relieves stress- induced psychosomatic diseases/disorders.
4. Cognitive Therapy: This is a kind of Psychotherapy which aims to modify disordered/dysfunctional thinking, behavior and emotional response of the subject.
5. Conflict Resolution: This technique aims at reducing/removing the cause of stress (stressor).
6. Exercise-Good for general health also.
7. Have some Hobbies.
8. Meditation (turning attention to a single point of reference)
9. Deep Breathing.
10. Listening to music.
11. Certain types of medicines like nootropics and adaptogenics.
12. Artistic engagements.
13. Yoga and Deep Breathing, which have a soothing effect on the body and mind.

The above measures are effective and safe techniques of Stress Management which are widely accepted and appreciated.