Stress: It Harms Your Health

We all experience stress in our lives everyday. Stress is actually a motivator to get us moving and able to complete tasks. But, if not managed properly, stress can become a very negative thing that can harm your body anywhere from becoming ill with the flu, to causing serious heart conditions.

I had to do an interview for one of my classes involving someone who is able to manage stress well. I was a little perplexed at first, because stress is such an arduous thing to manage that it seems not many people would be able to do so properly. But, I was able to find a great interviewee. I interviewed one of my supervisors at my work, and was able to get some great stress management techniques from her. I thought I would share them to my fellow health supporters in hopes that you may find some useful tips to help manage your own personal stress.

Here is the interview:

Lauren: How do you manage the stress you experience?

Supervisor: At work I vent for a while when something stresses me out, then I just try to relax. At home I get angery, slam things, and speak little underbreath angers that only I can hear.

Lauren: What do you do to relax?

Supervisor: Take a hot bath, read, excercise.

Lauren: How do you look at stressful events so as to make them less stressful?

Supervisor: I look at stressful events as learning experiences. I also learn from past experiences how to manage future similar stresses. I try to realize that each stressful situation will only last so long. For example, you only have to listen to a screaming baby in child care for one hour, then that stress is gone when the parent comes to take the child.

Lauren: Who helps you manage the stress in your life?

Supervisor: The people I vent to.

Lauren: Knowing me, what do you suggest I do to manage the stress I experience?

Supervisor: Look at things in the bigger picture, rather then focus on the exact present. Also, learn to let things pass. Don't hold on to angers.