Stress Management 1   Page1: What is stress? The Continuum of Change Maintaining Equilibrium Treatment of Stress Stress Management in the Chinese Concept What are Spiritual Toxins? The Personal Foundation Development Page2: Relaxation Therapy The Positive & Negative Sides of Stress Causes of Stress Dealing with stress positively & constructively Negotiating through Conflicts The Cleansing Effect of Nature- the Cosmo Contemplation Let Food be used as Medicine What is stress?? Stress is an event or change that makes an individual uncomfortable. Anxiety is a noticeable increase or change in behaviour- a non-directed expenditure of energy (e.g. increased pacing, finger drumming, wringing of the hands, staring, etc.)   "Stress" according to... Physicists: A force, stress or pressure implying exposure to excessive demands or environmental conditions that cause emotional upset and tension. Psychologists: Anything that alters the psychological homeostatic process. Anthropologists: Stress is adversity; coercion between people, or between the environment and humans, or between history and humankind. Endocrinologists: Stress as the non-specific response of the body to any demand made on it.   and "Stressors" are... the events of environmental agents responsible for initiating the stress response. Endogenous Stressor: Arises from within the body. Exogenous Stressor: Arises from outside the body.   Types of Stressors: Physical: pains & aches, illness, hunger Psychological: mental illness, emotional disturbances Sociological: problems arising from the workplace, job, relationships or family   The Stress Response: The nature of the stress response depends on: 1. The properties of the stress. 2. The conditioning of the individual (i.e. genetic predisposition, age, sex, health conditions, environmental agents, treatments, certain drugs, dietary factors, etc.) Specific Response: Alerts an individual to the pressure of the stressors, then re-establishes and maintains normality. Non-specific Response: A neuroendocrine response (i.e. autonomic neuron activity).   The Continuum of Changes (Events) Extremity Intensity increase toward Positivity (Yang) Equilibrium Intensity increases toward Negativity (Yin) Extremity Normal Range Crisis Psychosis Death Accidents Wars Social Problems     Hope Peace Motivated Contented Well-being Positivity Improvement Affirmation Enjoys Life Reformation Good Spirit Opportunity Adaptability Constructive Modification Satisfaction High Performance Increased Power Increased Energy More Achievements Norm Right Rules Level Order Centre Normal Health Balance Regular Control Standard Fairness Ordinary Security Attainment Homeostatic Satisfaction Manageability In Boundaries Denial Failure Tension Violence Negativity Drug Use Absenteeism Loss of Interest Social Function Deterioration Excessive use of Mechanisms Physical Discomfort Lack Motivation Alcohol Abuse More Aggression Abnormal Behaviour Moral Deterioration Crisis Psychosis Death Accidents Wars Social Problems       How Our Bodies Maintain Equilibrium Physical Factors Psychological Factors Adaptation: the unique and most suitable manner, that is, to identify the environment or habitats in order to achieve a way of life that is most suitable, such as air conditioning, central heating, new technology. Body's internal environment: examples are fluid environments, pH changes, milieu interue, etc. Homeostasis: a system of carefully coordinated physiological processes that oppose change Central systems: these include genetics, vital centres, nervous systems   Social elements: mental health, knowledge of social stressors such as relationships, marriage, communication, parenting, career and the work environment   Treatment of Stress- Non-pharmacological Methods: 1. Biofeedback 2. Relaxation 3. Imagery- to achieve relaxation 4. Exercises 5. Social support groups 6. Debriefing 7. Counselling 8. Develop hobbies and general interests 9. Workshops 10. Dieting   Stress Management in the Chinese Concept 1. Personal Foundation Development 2. With the best knowledge of one's self and of others (from events and stress) one will surely succeed. (a) Know yourself well. (write your traits down) Personality (positive and negative aspects) Education, training Assets (financial, health condition, support, resources, time, etc.) Planning Expectations of the best and worst outcomes Carry out strategies step by step (b) Know others (events/stressors) well (write them down) Causes of stressors (participating factors) Intensity of the stressors (acute, progressing, chronic) Level of damaging effects towards: physical health psychological aspects financial aspects social aspects (Key) Every change or event has a meaning. It may be: Warning signs of crisis development Motivators Stimulation of growth Lessons Signs of improvement Spiritual growth Appreciation of life Encouragement of intellectual thinkings Communications of other areas Understanding the meaning of an event can help us to plan and accept the changes, be prepared to face the consequences, etc.   What are Spiritual Toxins? 1. Greediness: uncontrollable wanting of wealth, power, love, enjoyment; never satisfied with present conditions   Alternative: let go, be content with the present, medium profile 2. Anger: fast mood changes; cannot accept others Alternative: be generous, accept the fact that nobody is perfect. Put yourself into somebody else's shoes.   3. Obsession: very subjective; difficult to change   Alternative: awakening and letting go 4. Prejudice and Excessive Pride   Alternative: be humble and open minded. 5. Suspicious Ideation Alternative: build up confidence and trust, know your true self. How do the Spiritual Toxins affect our lives and personalities? The five spiritual toxins are temptations which change our behaviours. When we use other alternatives, we change our ways of thinking, and change our souls. We know how to accept and treat ourselves with honesty. We utilize our intelligence to fulfill our goals, destiny, morals and spiritual needs. A peaceful soul will not be affected by fears, worries and crisis.   The Personal Foundation Development The most powerful motivator is "Belief." Belief is the core and root of life. Belief is the direction of life. Belief affects the wealth and success of life. Belief brings hope, energy, responsibility, happiness and a sense of content. Belief is the goal of life. A happy, positive, successful and enriched personality is the best tool to deal with stress.   To the Top of this page or to Page2