StressManagement-NortheasternUniversity.docVIP

Stress Management Sources of Stress Work deadlines and hours Balancing family life Acting as a caregiver for an aging family member Financial burden Health issues, yours or others Stress affects your body Lower immune system Leaves you susceptible for illness Elevate blood pressure Increase heart rate Both of the above can increase your risk for heart disease. Slow growth This includes growth in adults, such as cell turnover that we need to stay healthy. All of these can lead to chronic illness such as Insomnia Weight gain Heart disease Digestive dysfunction Memory loss Skin condition Eczema can be exacerbated Locating stress in your life Stress journal Record activities and feelings before, during and after activities Which activities make you feel most stressed Which activities make you feel most calm Now decide if the activity that makes you stressed can be: Avoided Altered to make you less stressed Next look at which activities relieve your stress Are those activities healthy? Examples of unhealthy stress relief: Sleeping Drinking Taking out stress on others Over or under eating Are there any activities that you can take off your to do list? It will make time management easier Having a shorter to do list is less stressful Managing Stress There are many techniques Not ever technique works for every person Some examples are: Exercise Meditation Yoga Spending time with friends “Me time” Exercise Reduce stress hormones Increase endorphins (happy hormones) Decrease anxiety and depression Used as an adjunct therapy in depression treatment Help empty your mind Hard to think about stressful day when you’re busy Improve self esteem Create sense of accomplishment Meditation The key is diaphragmatic breathing Put your hand on your stomach and when you breathe in, try to push your stomach into your hand Can be done with no equipment or training Need as little as fifteen minutes Three main types Guided meditation Form a mental picture of a place you find rel