STRESS MANAGEMENT

THE FIVE LEVELS OF STRESS

LEVEL 1
Slips of the tongue, Itching, Sleeping, Eating, Hyperactivity, Jerky movements, Increase in smoking & drinking

LEVEL 2
Rationalization, Denial, Suppression nervous activity increases on avoidance of dealing with the problem or reality that must be dealt with sooner or later.

THE FIVE LEVELS OF STRESS

LEVEL 3
Aggressive outbursts, Attacks on others, Social offenses, The persons ego is in jeopardy.

LEVEL 4
Gross confusion, Flight from reality, Unable to perform simple everyday acts with safety & accuracy. Sometimes distortions or hallucinations may occur.

LEVEL 5
Failure to perform life sustaining acts; suicide attempts (abandonment of will to live)

AAABCs
of STRESS MANAGEMENT

Alter it Avoid it Accept it Build resistance Change perception

AAABCs of STRESS MANAGEMENT

ALTER IT by changing something. Problemsolving, direct communication, organizing, planning & time management are common techniques for Altering stress.

AVOID IT by removing yourself from the stressful

situation or figuring out how not to get there in the first place! To conserve stress energy, people sometimes need to walk away, let go, say no, delegate, withdraw, and know their limits so they can live to fight another day.

AAABCs of STRESS MANAGEMENT

ACCEPT IT means to equip yourself physically &

mentally for stress.

BUILDING RESISTANCE People can

increase their capacity to tolerate stress
PHYSICALLY through proper diet, regular exercise, & systematic relaxation techniques

SPIRITUALLY through meditation, prayer, worship, faith & commitment.

SOCIALLY by building & maintaining support systems, investing in relationships, clear communication and intimacy.
MENTALLY through positive affirmations, taking time for mental health, getting clear about goals/values/priorities

AAABCs of STRESS MANAGEMENT

CHANGE PERCEPTION
One way to Accept stress is to change the way you perceive the situation or yourself. Changing unrealistic expectations and irrational beliefs such as I should succeed at everything I do, or It would be awful if my spouse or children or boss or workers were angry with me is a good start. Building selfesteem & cultivating a positive attitude will help as well. Redefining the situation is a less stressprovoking way is always an option.

8 WAYS TO CONTROL STRESS

1. CONTROL YOUR ANGER 2. BREATHE 3. SLOW DOWN

4. COMPLETE ONE SIMPLE TO DO

5. GET SOME FRESH AIR

6. AVOID HUNGER & DEHYDRATION

7. DO A QUICK POSTURE CHECK 8. RECHARGE AT THE DAYS END