Coping with Stress

Coping with stress is possible when you have the right tools.

Coping with stress can be difficult because stress comes in so many different forms, and when more than one issue hits at a time, well, it can seem downright overwhelming. The best way to deal with dress is to decide what type of stress it is and then engage in activities that specifically target that type of stress.

You can generally classify stress into the following categories:

No type of stress is considered "easy" but physical stress, in which one is in physical pain, can be more clear cut than some of the other forms of stress. Most of this is because you'll probably have a clear idea of where the pain is coming from and an equally firm idea of how best to combat that pain.

How to Cope If the pain has already been diagnosed by a doctor, then obviously, heed the doctor's advice. If you feel the need to do more, then research and learn as much as you can about the illness (knowledge is power). You can also investigate alternative forms of medication, for example acupuncture, but make sure that you let your doctor know beforehand.

Relationship stress is a bit trickier than physical stress because by its very nature, many things in relationships are intangible. Along with this is the fact that we have relationships with just about everybody; colleagues, parents, children, spouses, etc.

As if things weren't complicated enough, much of the conflict in relationships come from old wounds; things that linger in the unconscious mind.

How To Cope

• Identify the issue: What are you angry about? Do you feel slighted or did the other individual actually do something to offend your sensibilities?
• Talk it out: Raise the issue with the individual, but stay on topic. This is not the time to bring up every little wrong that has over taken place between the two of you. Weigh the other person's response to your words and see you can reach a compromise.
• Acceptance: Finally, relationships are a two way street; if the other person is unwilling to come to the table, then you may just have to accept that. Trying to force someone to bend to your will usually leads to greater levels of stress down the road.

When it comes to money and stress, the issue usually revolves around not having enough. In this way, solving money issues means increasing your funds. Sounds relatively simple, right? Well, it is, but the problem is that money often involves emotions.

How To Cope:

• Learn to say no: Most of us know, at least intellectually, that money doesn't mean love but that doesn't mean that we practice this belief. If your funds are short, start saying no. Facing money difficulties is no time to quibble; instead you will need to cut excesses.
• Manage stress levels: Manage your rising stress levels by creating a plan; create a budget, start saving, pay bills on time, and then watch your money grow.
• Make more money: If your funds are truly short, then you'll need to make more of it, and in some cases, the only way to do that is to get a second job. This may also mean that "everyone" of age in your household may need to as well.
• Get creative: Find creative ways to solve your money troubles. This can mean everything from hosting a garage sale to baking collies; do what you need to do to increase your funds.

Job related stress is another one of those big stressors in life. There are several reasons why jobs are stressful:

1. People spend most of their time working.
2. People need jobs to live well.
3. It's important to people to get along with their colleagues and supervisors.

So, what can you do when conflict arises?

How To Cope

• Identify the conflict: The first step in coping with stress, no matter the stress, is to identify the conflict, and this is true whether it's something tangible (like conflicting schedules) or something intangible (for example, conflicting personalities); if you don't know what the problem is, you can't solve it.
• Come up with a solution: Sit and really think about the best way to solve the problem. Is there anything you could be doing better? What would you like the other person to do?
• Approach and accept: Once you have a plan, approach the individual with it. Now the ball is in his/her court, and it's up to the person to accept or reject it. If they reject your proposal, unless you are prepared to leave that job (which is perfectly fine), you'll have to accept that.

Coping with stress can be summed up with one word - action. When stress levels are high, the only way to bring them down is to take some sort of action. However that said, it doesn’t mean that you need to take bold, strong, sweeping action.

Remember, inaction, like that of shifting your mindset, or deciding not to engage in conflict, is every bit as powerful as saying or doing something. When it's all said and done, exercise your best judgment and decide which course of action is best suited for each particular situation.

Additionally, keep in mind that no matter the stress you are facing, you can always alleviate your stress levels by either exercising, or doing something that you truly enjoy. In this way, you'll always have a two-pronged approach to dealing with whatever life happens to throw your way.

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