Misconceptions about Stress

1. We always know when we are under stress – Often people become so accustomed to stress that they become unaware of it. Many of us suffer the debilitating effects of stress even though we don’t feel tense. Stress can change the way you treat others or damage your body even in the absence of feelings of frustration or anxiety.

2. Stress is something, which affects only those who have high-pressure lives – Many ordinary individuals experience constant stress resulting from worry or leading unfulfilled lives.

3. The only way to lower stress is to change your surroundings or to take medication – Changing your outlook on life is the most reliable and effective way of reducing stress. Stress comes from the way we perceive the world andnot from the way the world really is.

4. Stress is caused by events that happen to us – It is not events in themselves that cause our distress, but rather the views we take of events.

5. Emotions have a will of their own and cannot be controlled – We can change our feelings by first changing our behaviour or by changing our thinking. For example, developing a new understanding of a situation can make it less threatening or stressful.

Tips for Managing Stress 

Talk to family and friends: It’s important to remember that you’re not alone.  There are 
people who care and are available  to  listen when you need  to  talk.   They may  even be 
able to offer some help.  If they do offer their help – “just say YES”! 
 
Reduce chemical stress: Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and  sugar can all  raise energy on a 
short-term  level, but  in  the  long  run  they will  just make  things worse.   Limit  their use 
especially at bedtime so that your sleep is not disturbed.  
 
Put things into perspective:   Ask yourself  if an  issue  is  really worth  the emotional and 
physical energy it is costing you and does it really matter in the long run?  Prioritize the 
problems you need  to deal with and  tackle  the most  important ones first.   Give yourself 
permission to let go of things that you cannot get done.  
 
Slow down when your leave work:    Find  a  hobby  or  noncompetitive  activity  that  you 
enjoy,  such  as  sports,  yoga,  reading,  or  listening  to music.   Take  a  long  bath  or  get  a 
massage.  Leave the work pressures behind when you go home for the day.