Most psychologists agree that negative stress or distress is the #1 saboteur to your health and well-being. An appropriate definition of negative stress is “what you experience when you believe you cannot cope effectively with a challenging or threatening situation.” Negative stress costs American companies $100 to $200 billion annually in absenteeism, lost productivity, accidents and medical insurance cost. Distress also affects personal health by contributing to heart disease, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, Type II diabetes, obesity, chronic pain, drug abuse, addictive behavior and many other diseases. To help you deal more effectively with distress, here are 13 points to embrace:
- Learn how to relax – make time to get away from the “source” of your distress
- Eat right and exercise often
- Practice regular deep diaphragmatic breathing exercises (see Wellness Tip)
- Get adequate rest and sleep
- Don’t worry about the small stuff…and it’s all small stuff
- Get organized and manage time efficiently
- Develop and nurture a strong social support system
- Live according to your values
- Live with a sense of purpose
- Develop and foster a good sense of humor
- Learn to let go – turn your worries and cares over to your Creator
- Change the way you think – it’s not the distress that affects you as much as how your perceive it
- Practice your faith – focus on your “Rock”
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