VVVVYVYY VY VV VV VV VYYYYYYYVYYYYYY Putting The Brakes On Stress Wetting long hours in a heats cenvtronment, caring for people who are hpah or discomfert, having to ‘perform too many tasks too Btls time, and jugaing work end fami ‘2ctiilles—allof hese causes of ‘stress can make health care providers fetes if careening ‘out of contol. Athough you cantt ‘make your many responistilities go ‘away, you can leam to manege stress bation Change Negative Stress Ta Pasitlve Stress ‘Thinkof atime when you were faced witha chalenging situation, decided what to do, and it welt. ‘You probebl fat excited to meet tha challenga head-on, and proud of yourseffor handing f. That's an ‘example of posiva stress, ‘Now thnicof a ima wiven you had so meny things to do you felt ‘you couldn't keep up, Maybe your heart begen pounding, or your breathing became shaiow. ‘you found yoursall unabla to focus ‘your attenion, and rushed from ‘askcto tas That's an example of negativesiess. ‘Your goa is to leam how to ‘change your atitudes and actions ‘50 that negative etress is trane- formed Ino postive stress, It's easier than sounds! The following ‘ipa con help: Sot Reasonable Goals ‘Trying to eccamplish too many things al work or at home is @ sure way to upyour stress level. Set "easontle goals foxsoursl ‘piofitize them and draw up a ‘realistic schedule that includes time for rest breaks end unanticipated crises, Rune na) eA acon CT Seems ares Find New Responses Make fist of some ofthe mafor streas-producers at your job and at ‘homo, and jot down the ways you usually handle those. Next, spend a few moments brelnstormning about cothet ways to deal with these suatlons. Ty to come up with lots ofideas, even some that seem ‘outlandish or Impossible. More than Sa peal Mien ener Kin ‘that wl help you experience ‘negative stress and more posillve stress. Ask For Help—Ask Ta Help ‘When you're feeling stressed, it's ‘easy to-isolate yourself But during highly stressful times, you need and deserve the help of others. Even Just talking for a few minutes about ‘2 dificult situation cen help you feel 137 less isolated. Promisa yourself to.ask supenisors or cowork- cre for help wien you need and ofr toretum tho Be Your Own Cheerleader ‘Those smell voloss inside your bead ean be mare hep thn ‘you thiad Ty taking to ‘yourself as you were your wn cheereadér. Instead of ttn yourel How tle tine you have to do everything feed to do, ortial yous ‘bound for another day of fallure, ty phrases Hc “'m ‘relaxed and effective," or tm Let Yourself Feel Helier vorenn ase many deep emotions, espe- lly when you ere confrontect irieent dea toe prestgyur tens © sels oc baal rain oy eect meses, Gua youel ene dine orate connor frlends—to feel sad; angry, helpless, trated a cay rant IFIt's Chronic, Get Help Everyone experionces some negative stress at work end at home. Buti you find that you are under chronic negative stress, or it you expertenes frequent head- ‘eches, stomach aches or mood ‘swings, you may went to se0.@ counselor Practice Practice eome or all ofthese stress- ‘management sldis over several ‘months. Slowly but surely, you'l learr-how to put the brakes on stress! renee ness