Success Program for Small Businesses: Lesson 8

There is no escape from stress. We encounter events daily that trigger the body’s ‘fight or flight response’. This response leads to an adrenaline rush. But stress is not all negative:

The Positives of Stress

Stress acts a stimulant making us think and act. Complete absence of stress would make it impossible to react to situations on time. Stress serves as a messenger and helps us combat negative stimuli.

All new and strange events trigger the stress response in our body to some extent. This is beyond our control. But our reactions to stressful events and our outlook toward them is what determines the levels of stress. Turn stress into a challenging event that needs to be fought by:

1. Understanding stress
2. Learning stress management strategies
3. Developing a positive attitude

Identify Stressors

The primary element in stress management is identification of the stressors. Know whether the stressors in your life are external or internal. External factors include workplace, environment, and relationships. Internal factors include emotional health, sleep, and quality of food. Self-assessment techniques are the best way to identify your stressors.

Effective Use of Stress Management Strategies

Elimination of stressors is an ideal situation. For example, if you are allergic to an external factor, you would get rid of it. But in most cases elimination of the stressful event is impossible. The least you can do is manage stress effectively through proven techniques.

If situations are your primary stressful events, instant stress management techniques that you can use at all place should come handy. To start with, try stress management techniques such as breathing exercises or positive imagery. Experiment by using enchanting ‘mantras’ and motivational quotes or statements.

If environmental factors trigger your stress response, make modifications to your lifestyle. Regardless of the source of stress, effective stress management is possible by making little changes gradually.

View Stress as Motivational

Our outlook toward life decides the effects of stress. Moving to a new house, for example, can be very stressful. The levels of stress that this incident can cause will depend on your perception and outlook toward that situation. Do you view it as a challenge or threat?

Make stressful events motivational by developing a positive outlook toward them. Engaging in pep talk is an effective tool. Stress serves as a stimulant for us to take action, and therefore, view it as motivational.

Recharge your Inner Self

The symptoms of stress worsen if you are fatigued or tired. Thus, stress and allergies follow a similar pattern. Tackle the harmful effects of stress by engaging in activities that replenish your energy such as walking, playing with your kids, or having a steam bath. Some of the symptoms of stress can be reduced through a balanced diet and adequate sleep. This will ensure that you are at your optimal best physically.

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