Stress management (1 of 2)

What is stress and how to we deal with it?  Stress can be defined as anxiety, panic, worry, fear, depression, and can manifest in any of those forms or a myriad of others.  We have all experienced stress to some degree or another, and more at some times of our lives than others.  Stress/anxiety/worry can be internalized, caused by being ‘out of balance’ or deeper fears or reasons.  Or, stress/anxiety/worry can be caused by external situations that we have no control over, such as the economy we are all concerned about right now.  There is a healthy anxiety that drives us, that helps to motivate us to move through fear, to keep pushing ourselves toward our goals.  But there is also unhealthy stress that feels as though it will consume us and paralyze us at times.  How do we find the balance and be aware of our personal stress levels before they go from healthy to unhealthy?  I believe the first stage is becoming aware of what we are thinking and feeling.  When we are able to call it what it is, we take back the control that we need to manage it.  We also must ‘own’ it and talk about it.  When I am becoming more worried about something than I know is healthy but can’t seem to get it back in balance, I have to express it to someone and that takes it’s power away.  I can call it what it is, define it a bit more and see it more clearly and more objectively. We make mountains out of moleholes, by allowing our minds to become sloppy, out of control, and if you were to liken it to the physical body, VERY out of shape!  We have to take charge of those thoughts, feelings, actions, take responsibility for them and get our mind in shape just like we would/do our bodies!  The first step is being willing!  Become aware of what those negative/fearful/worry thoughts are.  Panic can be not recognizing what is going on and feeling no control over it, right?  Examining, exploring, not resisting the thoughts/feelings and working on staying objective can be a HUGE step in the right direction!  We get nowhere by thinking that others won’t understand, can’t help, won’t help or will think we are ‘crazy.’  They would probably be relieved to know you, too, experience out of control thoughts/feelings!  So share!  Ask, talk, question, talk to yourself!  More techniques next month………