| With the fast pace that many of us keep these days - juggling worship, family responsibilities, work and perhaps school
as well - we often neglect ourselves. While we may not experience overnight the consequences of failing to get sufficient rest, to eat properly and to exercise, over time, our spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional health is bound to suffer. We take time out to make sure we've recharged our cordless and cellular phones, laptop computers, and other portable appliances. Perhaps it is time that we, on a regular basis, step back from the madness and recharge our own batteries! An article in the Bursts of stress release hormones and activate the nervous system, sharpening our senses and raising alertness. But simultaneously our pulse rises, our
muscles tense and our immune system shuts down. "This is a very functional response for emergencies," says James Campbell Quick, an author or editor of six books on stress management. "You cannot escape stress," he adds. Instead, the key is learning to manage stress. "You have to be able to let the stress go. People who internalize stress can end up with a variety of medical, psychological and behavioral problems."
People who can't relieve daily stress may
experience fatigue, upset stomach, or frequent headaches. Long-term stress, however, is even more dangerous. It can contribute to family breakdowns, chronic health problems like heart disease and high blood pressure, memory loss and depression, on-the-job accidents and injuries. Elsewhere, the article mentioned the workplace as one of the chief sources of stress, stating, "Americans in all professions are experiencing exceptionally high levels of workplace stress." The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's has listed
job stress as a top health threat. As for dealing with job stress (some of these strategies can also be employed to manage stress outside the workplace), the author recommends the following: 1) Plan ahead. Ask questions about responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations. 2) Avoid office gossip and constantly negative people.
3) Seek out someone who can provide encouragement or a pep talk. 4) Set priorities. Postpone low-priority tasks until others are completed. 5) Refocus by looking at your reasons for working, your goals, and how much or little you contribute to your personal and your family's well being by staying at your job. 6) Be clear that your job is not your life. Remember your family, your community, and your other interests. 7) Reward accomplishment - your own and that of other workers that you may supervise. 8) Get enough sleep. Trading a half-hour of TV (or other activities) for extra sleep can help change your attitude about working. 9) Set aside time to relax, particularly with those you are close to. 10) Change your scenery periodically - whether it be a vacation, weekend getaway, or a stroll at lunch time. Lynn Gordon, author of the card set, 52 Ways to Make a Difference, suggests taking short naps as a great way to recharge our batteries. However we choose to recharge, it is important that we learn to keep all matters in their proper perspective, and regularly break the vicious cycles in our lives so that we can take care of ourselves. It is narrated that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "Fast and break your fast; and stand up
for prayer and sleep, because there is surely a duty on you for your body, a duty on you for your eyes, a duty on you for your wife, and a duty on you for your neighbor." Note: This list is being developed partially from the card set, "52 Ways to Make A Difference," authored by Lynn Gordon and published by Chronicle Books, and available at Borders Book Store in the mini-book section. Previous weeks of this column can be found in the Society section's archives. For an
in-depth discussion of the effects of sleep deprivation and recommendations for dealing with it, visit our archives for Parts I and II of "Are You Getting Enough Sleep?" (October 2000). Our Health and Science section features weekly articles that provide invaluable health information, including remedies for dealing with stress. TuanGuru.NET |
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