When I feel stressed, I tend to share with those close to me, as well as using exercise and stretching mechanisms. However, I will try to choose a different route to work to avoid traffic.
Harrison, Words to live by. Glad you got such great perspective early and to see that you are passing it on!
Dr. Melissa Read
Dawn, That sounds like a wonderful plan. What's great is that short walks and stretching are something you can easily do in the workplace environment. This means that you have access to your coping mechanisms all the time, which can be useful when you are faced with the sources of your stress in environments outside the home.
Dr. Melissa Read
In the future I will use exercise and stretching to improve my ability to deal with stressors. During the day, a short walk around the building can help reduce daily stress at the office.
Coping with Personal stress is common I like to take time to get pedicures and extra sleep to cope. As well as talking with girlfriends and getting their perspective on stressors.
The answer is simple. I just let it GO! My dad once said "If you can not control it, do not let 'it' control you!" I guess I'm Zen!
I find that paying attention to your breathing is a great way to identify stress that can then be mitigated through deep-breathing techniques. If you can't beat them, you can at least slow them down.
I will start by doing a TO DO LIST for both work and home. I will prioritize and check off whar has been completed on a daily bases and then re prioritize what is left for the next day.If unable to eliminate or reduce then talk to someone about it see if they have any ideas. Or realise it cannot be eliminated and work through it.
When I am stressed, I usually listen to music, which helps to get my mind relaxed or energized, depending on what I have to do. I also have been practicing 'Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction' (MBSR). I took a course for nurses and found it very useful. I try to focus on the moment and just breathe. It definitely takes practice, but it helps. And I almost always have to share with a close friend/colleague about work-related issues. It is really helpful to get another's perspective.
Hi Dr. Read, I'm a dentist with a rather high-paced private practice for the last 30 years or so. I've dealt with the stress of this career mainly by running which, several years ago, has evolved into walking several times a week as I've gotten older. Two years ago I added teaching at a career college to my resume which has greatly helped me cope with the stress of dentistry. I still walk many miles, many days per week but I always look forward to the days that I teach and the peace that it brings me.
I too love dancing as a destressor. I am taking dance lessons instead of exercise. The music and damcing is more fun, relaxing and am interacting with people.
Haven't reached the dazzle part yet but I am destressing. This helps me to clear my mind and relax so I able to deal with any stressor that may arise.
One of the biggest coping mechanisms that I am very poor at doing on a daily basis is exercise. When I do exercise I feel the difference immeadiately in my attitude and stress level. A large part of the problem is just not enought ime, but that is an excuse - there is always time.
David, Excellent to hear! Sounds like you have a balanced approach to coping with stress. What's great is that you have a few different outlets instead of just one. When one fails, you have others to choose from.
Dr. Melissa Read
I have been lifting weights 5-6 times per week. I have recently added doing more aerobic work on the bike or elliptical. I also find the camaraderie of others at the gym a welcome distraction.
Kimberly, That sounds like a great plan. Some people stock their cars with a few snacks that can survive extreme temperatures over long periods of time. Nuts are one of many examples.
Dr. Melissa Read
I will use the breathing and exersizing techniques
When I get stuck in traffic, and am hungry, I will make sure to bring a healthy snack along with me so I won't feel stress about either not eating at all or picking up unhealthy fast food.
Stephen, Excellent to hear. Sounds like you are on track toward a healthy future. Changing all of these things at once can be a bit of a challenge. You might start small and work your way up.
Dr. Melissa Read
I am trying to get more excercise and eat better along with drinking water and eliminating caffeine, so far so good.
David, Interesting approach. It sounds like you need to step away from your problems in order to find good solutions. This is actually a really helpful method and works well for many instructors. Working out seems like it's a good way for you to step away and get that break you need to find a good solution.
Dr. Melissa Read
