Stress Management

Lately I have been feeling a little bit overwhelmed by . . . well just about everything! I am guessing that there is at least one other person out there that can relate, so I decided to write about it in hopes of helping both myself and anyone else that might be feeling the same way.

Stress is normally the result of some type of change in circumstances over which we feel that we have no control. Research shows that the foundation for stress management is to realize that even though these changes may be happening “to” us, we are still in control. We may not be in control of the situation, but we are in control of how we respond to the situation. We control our thoughts, our emotions, our actions, and ultimately how we spend our time. Isn’t it nice to know that the only person responsible for you being stressed is you?! 🙂

While that particular piece of research alone may not help you feel any better, or any less stressed, perhaps these helpful tips and techniques for relieving stress will:
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle – exercise, eat right, and take care of yourself
• Learn to say NO – don’t take on too much
• Focus on the Big Picture – does it really matter?
• Volunteer – help yourself by being helpful to others
• Ask for / Accept Help from others
• Express your feelings
• Find the positive – every cloud has a silver lining
• Have FUN!!

One of my favorite sayings is that “stressed” is just DESSERTS spelled backwards . . . that can’t just be a coincidence! So next time you are going through a rough patch, take this saying to heart and give yourself a TREAT – whether you do it literally and eat something sweet, or you treat yourself in some other special way . . . enjoy a song, a book, a movie, time with friends, time alone, or a walk. It might not eliminate the source of your stress, but it will at least provide a brief hiatus.

Bobi Cook is a Regional Facilitator for Workforce Solutions in the Houston – Galveston area. She currently conducts job skills seminars throughout the 13 county Gulf Coast region utilizing her MBA and over ten cumulative years experience as a professional educator, quality systems manager within the automotive industry, and small business administrator to help job seekers develop and implement successful job search campaigns.