These are stressful times. With the frantic pace of our day-to-day life, for most people, stress is the order of the day rather than a rare experience. Most of us are aware of the experience of stress because it is unpleasant and motivates us to get rid of it. While a certain amount of stress or arousal is essential for task accomplishment, when the experience of stress increases, we feel its effects. Not only are they unpleasant, but left unchecked, they will take a toll on our health. Increases in heart rate and blood pressure, upset stomach, excessive perspiration, are just some of the physical symptoms of stress, as we all know too well. Psychologically, we may experience anxiety, fear, depression, anger, negative intrusive thoughts and we may also feel immobilized when we are ‘stressed’.

Where is this stress coming from? Why is it particularly prevalent now? And, what if anything can we do to lessen the stress in our lives and its debilitating effects? There are two main reasons for the greater pressure we experience. These are technological, mainly the computer, and globalization. A few decades ago when the computer was being introduced into our daily lives, it was hailed as a way of increasing our quality of life by freeing us from the need to perform mundane tasks. Not having to do routine duties, we would be free to do the things we wanted to do and thus be more self actualized. Unfortunately that isn’t the way it has turned out. While it is true we have been able to assign many tasks to the computer that has increased our capacity to handle, transform and deliver large amounts of information, at the same time, with technological advances, new pressures have been created in our society. With the advent of Internet, email, cell phones, we can accomplish more in a shorter time, but the expectations now have caught up with the computer so that there are greater pressures on us to achieve. Whether it is at work, in the home, or both, nobody is immune to the effects of technology and the increasing expectations that accompany it. It is a truism to say that we are on call seven days a week, twenty four hours a day. For example, in the not too distant past, when we had to submit a report by mail, it usually took at least a few days for the report to be delivered, thus providing a respite to prepare for the next challenge. Today, reports are sent by email, arrive instantaneously and are likely returned to the sender the same day for revisions! Multiply this by 10 for each day and you have some idea of the pressures on us with their resulting stress.

Globalization is another factor that has led to greater stress. With globalization, barriers to exchange of knowledge and products have largely disappeared. While increasing the market is generally good for business because it increases potential buyers/users, at the same time, it leads to greater competition for scarce resources. All of this leads to greater challenges and greater potential for stress. In a word, we have to try harder today to achieve our goals and our performance has to be sustained all the time if we are to compete successfully. The effects on our children cannot be over emphasized. They are being taught how to ‘cope’ in today’s pressured environment by engaging in the same frantic activities that characterize our own daily lives.

The question we may raise is what can we do to deal with these pressures? How can we manage the stressful effects of the pressures that are ubiquitous in our lives?

I am suggesting that there are four principles that may help. They are: CARE.

C is for taking CONTROL of your life by planning and setting priorities. Rather than responding to the pressures that we experience daily, have a plan each day, each week and each month. Instead of trying to do everything at once, set priorities and stick to your list

A is for ACCESSING your social resources. One of the first things to go when we experience time pressures and stress are those relationships that rejuvenate and energize us. These may include relationships with our children, friends and family where the goals are to enjoy each other, provide and receive emotional support. Maintaining and nurturing these relationships are important for our spirit.

R is for RELAX with activities that you enjoy and allow you to revitalize. This may be window shopping, watching TV, reading the latest mystery or just, day dreaming. Setting aside time each day for these activities without feeling guilty will go a long way.

E is for EXERCISE regularly and daily. It may be a 30-minute visit to the gym, a brisk walk around the block or a Pilates class. Make sure the preparation/traveling time for your exercise period is short as we often discourage ourselves from that needed exercise by telling ourselves we simply don’t have the time to make the trip to the gym!

While we cannot change the pressures and demands of modern life, we can change our reaction to them. By integrating these four principles into our daily routines, we can improve our energy levels, increase our stamina, and at the same time enjoy our challenges.

In Good Health

Esther Greenglass

http://www.psych.yorku.ca/

http://www.psych.yorku.ca/greenglass/

Esther R Greenglass Ph.D

Professor of Psychology

York University

theperfectconnections is honoured to have had Professor Greenglass write this piece for us.  We can all benefit from her sound sense , and we thank her for her wisdom.

It is not stress that kills us. It is our reaction to it.

- Hans Selye