SHARON DANIELS - CLINICAL CONSULTANT PSYCHOLOGIST

STRESS 

Pressure and demands on your energy and time can come from nearly every corner of your life. But the sources of stress can mainly be found:

1. AT YOUR JOB

Pressure to meet deadlines, too much or too little work to do, taking work home, conflicts with the boss or your workmates, and boredom, can all create harmful stress.

2. IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE

Divorce, sickness, death of a loved one, money problems - even happy events such as marriage, the birth of a child or a sudden financial windfall can put you under pressure.

3. IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

The weather, the noise levels around you, over crowding, the physical safety and comfort of your surroundings - all can interfere with your ability to relax.

HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT YOU?

The pressures that build up each day can effect...

1. YOUR BODY

Unless you take steps to relax, tension builds up inside your body. Over a long period of time, this built-up tension can affect your health, possibly contributing to:

Ulcers | Allergies | High blood pressure | Heart attacks | Stroke

Some researchers also believe that cancer and the common cold are stress related.

SOME PHYSICAL SIGNS OF STRESS

Nail biting

Headaches

Lack of energy

Cold hands and feet

Muscle tension

Nervousness

Diarrhoea

Some of these signs or symptoms may have causes other than stress.

Check with your doctor if symptoms persist.

 

2. YOUR MIND

Stress affects your thinking and also takes its toll on emotional well-being. It drains vital energy and can make you cranky, irritable and impatient, both with yourself and others.

Stress causes some people to seek relief by abusing drugs, alcohol and food.

Stress colours the way you think and feel about:

  • YOURSELF Stress can attack your self-esteem and lessen positive feelings of self-worth.
  • OTHER PEOPLE Unless you take time to relax and "recharge your batteries"; stress can make it harder to relate to people in ways you would like.
  • THE WORLD Stress can deplete the energy you need to fully participate in activities and events around you.

SOME PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNS OF STRESS

  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Low self-esteem
  • Changes in sleeping, eating and sexual habits
  • Mood changes
  • Increased use of alcohol and drugs.

Some of these signs or symptoms may have causes other than stress. Check with your doctor if symptoms persist.

HOW TO DEAL POSITIVELY WITH STRESS

1.

Avoid worry by teaching yourself to think rationally and positively.

2.

Get proper recreation.

3.

Sleep 7-9 hours every day.

4.

Eat something from the five food groups every day:

  • Grains, cereals and bread
  • Fruit and Vegetables
  • Meat, chicken, fish, eggs
  • Diary foods
  • Fats and oils

5.

Develop good communication skills.

6.

Solve your problems effectively.

7.

Manage your time effectively.

8.

Learn to relax.

9.

Exercise a couple of times a week.

10.

Do something for fun every week.

11.

Ask for assistance.

 

Remember:

IT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENS THAT MATTERS

IT'S WHAT YOU DO ABOUT IT THAT COUNTS.

If you would like more information on how to manage stress effectively:

contact:

Sharon Daniels BA(Hons) MAPS MACCP

Clinical Consultant Psychologist

Suite 3, 175 Bunda Street

CAIRNS QLD 4870

AUSTRALIA

Ph: +61 7 4031 6448

Fax: +61 7 4041 3094

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