DEALING WITH CHANGE AND GROWTH

 

One of the most inevitable things to happen in human life is change. With time, people change physiologically and psychologically too. One thing about changes is that they always come with new challenges and opportunities for growth as well:

1.      What do you think are the psychological changes which are likely to happen to you as you approach your career pathway?

2.      What do you know about stress management as far as psychological changes are concerned?

3.      How can you best deal with other people when you are stressed out?

4.      What do you think is the importance of gaining stress management skills as far as your career success is concerned?

Concept of Stress

Simply put, stress is a physical response to a feeling, situation or event that interferes with your sense of well-being. The factors or emotions that cause you to

Feeling anxious, tense or afraid are called stressors. Perception of stress is based on individual response. What may be stressful for one may be thrilling and challenging for another.

Internal Stress

Some stressors are internal, stress-inducing thoughts or behaviors. These thoughts come from one’s psychological mindset or expectations. Examples include putting pressure on yourself to be perfect or fear of public speaking. In more serious cases, internal stressors may lead to feelings of depression and anxiety.

External Stress

Other stressors come from external factors, which are forces that you can’t easily control. Examples include major life events, discovering your pay has been cut, urgent deadlines or an upcoming exam. Internal and external stressors can have the same physical and psychological effects. You may have trouble sleeping, lose your appetite or lose interest in daily activities. You may be irritable, have headaches or stomach pains, or find that you cry easily.

Over time, chronic stress can be even more damaging. As your body stays in a state of alert, your immune system may be weakened. You could be more at risk for heart attack and stroke. Chronic stress may upset your reproductive and digestive systems

 

Examples of external sources of stress

External stressors are events and situations that happen to you. Some examples of external stressors include:

1. Major life changes. These changes can be positive, such as a new marriage, a planned pregnancy, a promotion or a new house. Or they can be negative, such as the death of a loved one, an illness or a divorce.

2. Environment. The input from the world around you can be a source of stress.

Consider how you react to sudden noises, such as a barking dog, or how you react to a bright sunlit room or a dark room. Or think about if you feel more stressed in crowds or in traffic during rush hour.

3. Unpredictable events. Out of the blue, uninvited house guests arrive. Or you discover your rent has gone up or that your pay has been cut.

4. Workplace. Common stressors at work include an impossible workload, endless emails, urgent deadlines and a demanding boss. Or some people may feel extra stress with their work schedules and demands if they work from home. Or they may feel stress from having too many video conference meetings.

5. Social. Meeting new people can be stressful. Just think about going on a blind date, and you probably start to sweat. Relationships with family often spawn stress as well. Consider your last fight with your partner or child.

6. Traumatic events. Some people may experience very stressful events such as war, accidents, natural disasters or assaults.

 

Examples of internal sources of stress

Not all stress stems from things that happen to you. Much of the stress response is self-induced. Those feelings and thoughts that pop into your head and cause you unrest are known as internal stressors. Examples of internal stressors include:

1. Fears. Common ones include fear of failure, fear of public speaking and fear of Flying.

2. Uncertainty and lack of control. Few people enjoy not knowing or not being able to control what might happen. Think about how you might react when waiting for the results of a medical test.

3. Beliefs. These might be attitudes, opinions or expectations. You may not even think about how your beliefs shape your experience, but these preset thoughts often set you up for stress. Consider the expectations you put on yourself to create a perfect holiday celebration or advance up the career ladd Left untreated, everyday stresses can lead to chronic stress. If you feel depressed or hopeless, seek help from your doctor or a mental health professional right away. The earlier you seek treatment, the greater the chances of successfully coping with stress

 

 

 

 

2. Identify ways to respond to others when under stress

In most cases when people are under stress, they tend to be angry and unbalanced psychologically. Most of them find themselves answering people in a rude way, and some totally lose interest in talking to others. But, human beings are not islands, there is no way we can live alone without integrating with others regardless of whether we are psychologically fit for it or not.

1.      What do you think a person should do when under stress and yet has to integrate with others?

2.      What do you think are the best ways to respond to others when under stress?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Stress Management and Career

Tips on How to Deal with Stress

Tip 1: Identify the sources of stress in your life

Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. This isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. While it’s easy to identify major stressors such as changing jobs, moving, or going through a divorce, pinpointing the sources of

Chronic stress can be more complicated. It’s all too easy to overlook how your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors contribute to your everyday stress levels.

Tip 2: Practice the 4 A’s of stress management

While stress is an automatic response from your nervous system, some stressors arise at predictable times: your commute to work, a meeting with your boss, or family gatherings, for example. When handling such predictable stressors, you can either change the situation or change your reaction. When deciding which option to choose in any given scenario, it’s helpful to think of the four A’s: avoid, alter, adapt, or accept.

Tip 3: Get moving

When you’re stressed, the last thing you probably feel like doing is getting up and exercising. But physical activity is a huge stress reliever—and you don’t have to be an athlete or spend hours in a gym to experience the benefits. Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good, and it can also serve as a valuable distraction from your daily worries.

Tip 4: Connect to others

There is nothing more calming than spending quality time with another human being who makes you feel safe and understood. In fact, face-to-face interaction triggers a cascade of hormones that counteracts the body’s defensive “fight-or flight” response. It’s nature’s natural stress reliever (as an added bonus, it also helps stave off depression and anxiety). So make it a point to connect regularly— and in person—with family and friends.

Keep in mind that the people you talk to don’t have to be able to fix your stress.

They simply need to be good listeners. And try not to let worries about looking

Being weak or being a burden keeps you from opening up. The people who care about you will be flattered by your trust. It will only strengthen your bond.

Tip 5: Make time for fun and relaxation

Beyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress in your life by carving out “me” time. Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you forget to take care of your own needs. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors.

 

The importance of managing stress

If you are living with high levels of stress, you’re putting your entire well-being at risk. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium, as well as your physical health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life.

It may seem like there’s nothing you can do about stress. The bills won’t stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day, and your work and family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have a lot more control than you might think.

Effective stress management helps you break the hold stress has on your life, so you can be happier, healthier, and more productive. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun, and the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on. But stress management is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why it’s important to experiment and find out what works best for you. The following stress management tips can help you do that.