12/11/2011

How To Overcome Stress from Loneliness



Have you ever felt alone?

Me too.

Sometimes, it seems like the earth is a very weird place. You find yourself in the midst of a city with representatives of humanity all around you. Yet, despite a life surrounded by people, you have this gnawing sense of emptiness and realize you actually feel alone.
Suddenly, you are shaken to your core with the realization of being alone and lonely. Emptiness looms within you at that particular moment. There are some tips for you.



Snap yourself out of this!

Why go through loneliness when something can be done to overcome that gloomy feeling?
Overcome your loneliness by knowing its origins. Loneliness brings deep emotional pain; and if you are experiencing this intermittently, you must take steps to correct it. 

Admission

Covering up, disguising, or denying just to make it appear as though it is not affecting you will only aggravate the situation. It is okay to admit that loneliness has taken over your life, but you must resolve to eliminate it by all positive means necessary.

Choice

Perhaps you are lonely because you choose to be. Life offers us choices, including the choice to be happy or lonely. It is possible that you are dispirited because of your lifestyle. Reexamine your repetitive and daily activities.
Change routine activities that cause boredom and loneliness. Sitting alone in a corner doing nothing may seem harmless. You may be looking for some peace or a quiet moment. What makes this simple activity precarious is when your idle mind starts wondering about gloomy thoughts.
Change the mood by playing soft music that will still provide the peace and quiet you are looking for, but at the same time preempt the lonely mood. Let the sun shine in - open those drapes. Uplifting music and a well-illuminated room will help you.

Past experiences

Dwelling on past experiences such as being rejected by others or lack of attention is a possible cause of that downcast spirit. What's done is done, and past times cannot be done over for correction.
The emotional vacuum created as a result of past experiences can be filled-up by lessons gained from the past. If you experienced lack of attention from parents during childhood years, correct this by giving attention to surrounding people. In doing this, you strengthen your relationship with them.
As you give affection and attention to others around you, you will feel valued. When you feel needed, loneliness fades away.

Inactivity

An idle mind breeds loneliness. Keep your life in active mode. Volunteering is a remarkable way to counteract loneliness. Benefits of volunteerism work two ways. You zap away gloom, while you help others. On the other hand, physical activity promotes emotional well being.

The most important thing is your positive attitude. 


Don't be too serious. 
Why don't you laugh more often? 
If you thank for your life, your life will be wonderful. Good luck to you! 








overcoming stress of job loss

Overcoming stress....


When you have just lost your job or you have been out of work for some time, especially the Christmas season, can be very stressful. Money is tight and you still want to bless others around you. Some find it embarrassing being around family and friends since they aren't able to find work. Sometimes our pride gets in the way and can ruin this blessed season for us, and our families. 



Here are a couple of things that might help.

• There is no reason to feel shame because you have lost your job. It happens to everyone sometime over his or her lifetime.

• Sometimes our life's plan involves changing direction and if left up to us we would continue on our same course. So look at job loss not as a negative but a new beginning to bigger and better things.

• It might seem like the end of the world to you but rest assured, better days are coming and all this will make sense.

• Others do want to help you, so let them, inform them that you are looking for work and if they hear of anything to let you know.

                 never forget to smile


• Don't worry about others judging you. You don't have to answer to them. Don't live your life worrying what others think of you; life is too short.

• Suicide over the holidays is a very serious concern. If you are feeling hopeless, you really need to talk to someone who cares about you. Never resort to a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

• I know it might be tough, but celebrate the season for the right reason, the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. With Him there is nothing you can't overcome.

Remember, with a job or without a job you are very much loved and when times get tough hold on to that! The hardest time will makes you more prudent people. 










12/10/2011

Humor in the Workplace




That's true, workplaces sometimes are stressful places. This video has this advice.
Humor can help you. It can be meaningful and useful in workplaces.
I hope you can laugh with watching this video.            




Cartoons for reducing stress


stress cartoons - cartoons for reducing stress!

stress cartoon -life is pretty tough at the bottom as well. Office cartoon. Talking to boss
 All the frustration, grief, anxiety, and yes, stress. It's a state of mental conditioning that is like taking that bitter pill down your throat, causing you to lose your sense of self, and worse your sanity. Just thinking about it can drive anyone off the edge.

Stress cartoon - a balance diet is the key to relieving stress - not biscuits

And they say that the proactive ones are already living off the edge.

Stress cartoon - get rid of the stressor - being booted out of office door
As one stressed-out person to another, I know how it feels, and believe me there are many variants when it comes to stress. Coping with life, and carrying the problems that may or may not belong to you can scratch away the little joy and happiness that you can carry once you head out that door. You can't blame them for being like that; they have their own reasons, so much like we have our reasons to allow stress to weigh us down. They say that stress is all in the mind, well, what's bugging you anyway?

Stress Relief cartoon - being hit on the head by a bottle - it relieves stress

There are several ways to manage stress, and eventually remove it out of your life one of these days.
 I promise it's not going to be too taxing on the body, as well as on the mind.
In addition, I find this cartoons hard. This cartoons is about stress relief. Please have fun.


1. Acknowledge stress is good
Make stress your friend! Based on the body's natural "fight or flight" response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. I've yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.

stress cartoon - small boxer facing bigger aggressive boxer. Recreate that stress/anger

2. Avoid stress sneezers
Stressed people sneeze stress germs indiscriminately and before you know it, you are infected too!

Stress cartoon - Stress Management cartoon - someone climbing walls stressed out

Protect yourself by recognizing stress in others and limiting your contact with them. Or if you've got the inclination, play stress doctor and teach them how to better manage themselves.

stress cartoon - pulling hair out because of stress - shaved head

3. Learn from the best
When people around are losing their head, who keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced?

Stress Relief cartoon - drastic messures - blowing up building where she works
Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.

Stress cartoon - stress relief with deep breathing or is he drunk!

4. Practice socially acceptable heavy breathing
This is something I've learned from a gym instructor: You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.

Stress relief cartoon - setting fire to your work load isn't the answer

5. Give stressy thoughts the red light
It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. "If this happens, then that might happen and then we're all up the creek!" Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly?

Stress cartoon - so stressed he's turned into the incredible hulk - crashed through stress level barrier

Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks. Okay so it might go wrong - how likely is that, and what can you do to prevent it?

Stress Relief Cartoon - pushing the stress to the back of your mind - knifethrowing

6. Know your trigger points and hot spots
Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines. My heart rate is cranking up just writing these down!

Stress cartoon - a lot of stress gives you unlimited powers of strength - by lifting desk

Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee?

Stress cartoon - person working outside on a hill away from the stressful workplace/office

Knowing what causes you stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources?

Stress cartoon - boss very stressed. Not a good time to ask for a wage rise

7. Burn the candle at one end
Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreaks havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it's often ignored as a stress management technique. Listen to your mother and don't burn the candle at both ends!

Stress relief cartoon - he believes a hefty sports work-out will oxygenate his system, releasing pent-up energy and agression! Smashing office desk up with tennis racket

So having stress can be a total drag, but that should not hinder us to find the inner peace of mind that we have wanted for a long time.

Stress relief cartoon - office worker looking down telescope the wrong way to make work load look smaller

Stress cartoon - angry guy ripping thick STRESS MANAGEMENT book up

Stress Cartoon - guy sinking in a sea of chaos

Stress cartoon - glass case on wall. In case of stress smash everything up to relieve it!

Stress cartoon - someone strangling co-worker. It says in stress management book that you should relax and let go.

Stress cartoon - it's the road to stressville. long hours, no time to yourself

Stress relief cartoon - guy with big on off switch on his back. He can switch off at the end of the day.

Stress cartoon - hiding in cupboard under stairs - you shouldn't withdraw from contact with your work colleagues

12/09/2011

Tim Gard: Comic Vision, Stress Reduction through Humor





Tim Gard, CSP is a nationally recognized humorist and authority on stress.
This comic vision will make you laugh. How can you reduce your stress?
Don't seriously think about it. 
Have fun! 





how to handle stress in a relationship



Relationships can be stressful if you let them take a back seat. Handling stress in a relationship can take a toll on the people involved. Here are few ways to deal with stress in a relationship.

A relationship is essentially a companionship. It provides us with a sense of fulfillment, support. To be in a relationship is to have the ability to relate to someone and be understood. However, when it becomes difficult to relate to one another, a relationship becomes an effort. We are engaged in multiple relationships at a time. They all go through phases, which needs to be tackled with different perspectives. It is when we are not ready to accept a change of perspective towards a relationship, that stress begins to creep in. Handling stress in a relationship takes a toll that leads to the piling on of stress. Stress in a relationship gets in the way of thinking clearly and obstructs the ability to think with clarity. Take a few tips to handle stress in a relationship, to be there for your loved ones always and forever!


Below are a few ways to deal with stress in a relationship !

Accept and Analyze
Relationship stress is many times ignored, under the garb of other pressures. The first move towards handling stress in a relationship, is to accept the stress. Having a laissez-faire attitude towards a relationship is the biggest mistake people make. Analyze the causes of stress in a relationship. Jot them down in a diary and keep it close to you. This will help you to observe the patterns of changes in a relationship.

Talk it Out
Talking about your problems in a relationship is best way of stress relief. Sharing thoughts and sentiments is a way of getting rid of day-to-day stress. Stress in a relationship is a result of stress at work, home or troubles at different places. The obvious frustration at other places finds its vent at home with the people we care for, which makes handling stress in a relationship all the more difficult. one needs to find the time to sit down and talk it out with the people around.

Change Your Attitude
Discussions turn into arguments and the following silence never seems golden. Harsh responses towards family members and loved ones add to existing stress. If you change your attitude a bit towards the people, the situation will get better. One can control only one's behavior. Thus, to keep stress at bay, it's best to change your reactions and attitude.

Fresh Perspective
Hectic lifestyles and pressure of life, makes our mindsets myopic. Married couples hit this phase within 3 - 5 years of marriage and begin to think of all the negative extremes. For example, long working hours makes a rift in the relationship, causing the either of the spouse spend a lot of time out of the house. This can lead to emotional infidelity and cheating. In such cases, couples may take recourse in extremities like divorce, instead of fighting it out.

Handling stress in a relationship is a part and parcel of growing in a relationship. Stress in a relationship teaches you to be patient, loving and extra caring. Getting rid of a relationship, just because it a little stressful is the stupidest option, because everything you've done so far, including reading this article, is for the relationship. Then why give it up for a trivial cause? The question 'how to handle stress in a relationship' has a simple answer, love the people more than ever, who've helped you build the relationship.

How to Reduce Workplace Stress


How to Reduce Workplace Stressthumbnail
Workplace stress is a serious problem that affects up to 80 percent of the population at any given time. While experts agree that some level of stress is actually positive, since it drives workers to excel and meet deadlines, they also believe that it may be responsible for irritability, low productivity and even certain physical injuries. Learning to reduce workplace stress can mean a world of difference for both workers and company managers.

Difficulty:
 
Moderately Easy

Instructions

  1. Reduce Workplace Stress

    • 1
      Start by identifying the signs of work related stress. While they may seem obvious to you, the truth is that they are likely a combination of factors, such as physical environment (noise or poor air quality), work factors (overtime, tedious tasks, low salary) or interpersonal (an over-demanding boss).
    • 2
      Talk to others to see if you are alone in your feelings. In a large company or office, you should be able to find other people that share your experience. If you don't, it's likely that the stress is coming from other sources. On the other hand, if you find more workers feeling the same way you do, then it's time to approach the subject to see what can be done.
    • 3
      Find ways to reduce your workload. Whether it is by sharing it with others, asking for more time off or agreeing to cut down on work hours, this should be your first step. If you can't afford to cut down on work hours, consider a different arrangement, or find ways to become more productive by using different equipment or organizational system.
    • 4
      Promote social interaction. If you are in management, this could mean organizing activities to help the workers get to know each other. If you are a worker, it could be as simple as talking to others during breaks or lunchtime. Not only will the atmosphere become more relaxed, but this is also a great way to have access to other people when you need help covering a shift or finishing a project.
    • 5
      Change your attitude. It's likely that much of the stress comes from within rather than external factors. If you are a perfectionist, for example, learn to relax and let go of the little things. Or learn to delegate rather than expecting to do everything yourself.
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Tips & Warnings

  • If stress becomes too much to handle on your own, talk to your manager about what exactly is expected of you and how you can meet those expectations without overdoing it. In extreme cases, you can ask about options on how to move to a different department where your obligations will be either lower or less stressful.


Read more: How to Reduce Workplace Stress | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2076435_reduce-workplace-stress.html#ixzz1g0tjYsQN

Alcohol: a cure for stress?




Stress relieving habits

A glass of wine can be the signal that “free time” has begun after a long day for lots of people.
“A lot of people I know drink after work,” says Rick Morris, a risk strategy analyst working in the City in London. “Drinking is how many people blow off steam after a long day. I would find it difficult to relax in the evening without a drink or two. I find it quite easy to go a bit overboard though, and having a hangover the next day can send my stress levels shooting upwards.”
It’s not just demanding jobs that make people reach for the bottle. A poll of 3,000 mothers by parenting website Netmums [www.netmums.com] found that half drank at home at least three or four nights a week. More than eight out of 10 of these mums said they drank to combat stress.
Siobhan Freegard is the founder of Netmums. She says: “Being a mum is really hard work – you have so much on your plate, juggling kids alongside jobs and other responsibilities like elderly parents. What I hear a lot is ‘I don’t have time to do two hours yoga each evening to wind down – alcohol is much easier’.
“A glass of wine in the evening is the demarcation between ‘being mum’ and adult time.”

Adverse effects

However, when a drink after a particularly hard day turns into a nightly stress-relieving habit, you could be starting to run into trouble.
It can seem like alcohol makes you feel more relaxed in the short term. However, if you regularly exceed the government's daily unit guidelines of 3-4 units for men (equivalent to a pint and a half of 4% beer) and 2-3 for women (equivalent to a 175ml glass of 13% wine), you could actually end up exacerbating your stress. Alcohol is a depressant, which means that it slows down the brain and the central nervous system’s processes.
Eva Cyhlarova from The Mental Health Foundation says: “Many people find an alcoholic drink helps them to relax, and if this is limited to within safe guidelines then it shouldn’t cause problems. However, the persistent use of alcohol to cope with stress or associated problems like insomnia can be very damaging and counterproductive.
She continues: “Over time, heavy drinking interferes with the very neurotransmitters in the brain that are needed for good mental health.  So while alcohol may help deal with stress in the short term, in the long run it can contribute to feeling of depression and anxiety and make stress harder to deal with.  People who drink heavily are more likely to suffer from mental health problems.” 
Having a drink as soon as you get in the door could easily turn into two or three before you sit down to dinner. If you do decide to have a drink, why not wait and have a small glass of something with your meal? There is no evidence that one or two units of alcohol carries significant risk and there is evidence to suggest that a small amount of alcohol with food can have benefits in relation to heart disease. Alcohol with a meal can reduce the sudden rise of the chemical fibrinogen in the blood stream. Fibrinogen is a contributor to blood clots and there is a rise in fibrinogen after we eat.

Alternative relaxation

Whatever stress you’re facing, there are more effective ways to cope with it than with alcohol.
GP Dr Sarah Jarvis says: “Exercise is an excellent way to de-stress. Even a brisk walk can clear your head and make the worries of the day disappear. Running a nice warm bath and taking the plunge for half an hour is a great way to relieve tension from your body too.”
Professor Cary Cooper, Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health at the University of Lancaster, has some more advice: “Going out and getting drunk is basically an avoidance strategy – you’re not properly confronting the issues that make you feel stressed in the first place.
“The best way to deal with stress is to choose a trusted friend or colleague and tell them what’s worrying you. Then, together you can come up with some solutions. That’s often all people need to start feeling better.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re having relationship problems or are facing redundancy at work – drinking alcohol is no good for dealing with stress.”