General Info – Self-Care and Stress
Have you ever been responsible for filling the balloons at parties? Whether we are blowing them up by mouth or using a helium bottle, most of us become quite uneasy as the balloon fills. We know that if we put too much in, the balloon will become more likely to POP. But, too little and the balloon just looks sad! And so we carefully puff a few more breaths in and hope it doesn’t blow up in our face!
Few folks realize that we all face the same problem when we begin to fill up our lives with anxiety, worry, responsibilities, and feelings of frustration and despair. All of these “stressors” fill our spirits like air in a balloon. And when we put too much in, POP!
Have you every just exploded at someone and you have no idea why? Have you ever gotten home and just blown up at the dog for wanting to go for a walk? Have you ever felt the need to just run away and not come back? These are spirit explosions when our mind-body-soul has had more than enough. We can no longer cope and the energy burst through and into (and onto) those around us. That build-up of energy in our mind-body-soul is called stress, and it is the main reason we all need to be skillful at self-care.
I know, I know. You are not stressed, you’re just busy! You can handle this. Once you blow up, you feel better. Besides, everyone has stress. What’s the big deal?
Unfortunately, stress is insidious. It slips up on us. The more skilled we are at coping, the more stress we will carry until it explodes into our lives and relationships. Stress affects the mind, the body, and the soul. Studies have suggested that stress shortens our lives and erodes the quality of our daily living. Stress changes relationships with ourselves, our families, our co-workers, and our friends.
Over the next few weeks, the Self-Care Notes will talk about how stress weighs upon our lives. We will learn to identify when we are stressed. We will discover ways to address it before it builds up to dangerous levels. Be afraid of the POP. It is unnecessary when we take the time to do good self-care!
Bob
Few folks realize that we all face the same problem when we begin to fill up our lives with anxiety, worry, responsibilities, and feelings of frustration and despair. All of these “stressors” fill our spirits like air in a balloon. And when we put too much in, POP!
Have you every just exploded at someone and you have no idea why? Have you ever gotten home and just blown up at the dog for wanting to go for a walk? Have you ever felt the need to just run away and not come back? These are spirit explosions when our mind-body-soul has had more than enough. We can no longer cope and the energy burst through and into (and onto) those around us. That build-up of energy in our mind-body-soul is called stress, and it is the main reason we all need to be skillful at self-care.
I know, I know. You are not stressed, you’re just busy! You can handle this. Once you blow up, you feel better. Besides, everyone has stress. What’s the big deal?
Unfortunately, stress is insidious. It slips up on us. The more skilled we are at coping, the more stress we will carry until it explodes into our lives and relationships. Stress affects the mind, the body, and the soul. Studies have suggested that stress shortens our lives and erodes the quality of our daily living. Stress changes relationships with ourselves, our families, our co-workers, and our friends.
Over the next few weeks, the Self-Care Notes will talk about how stress weighs upon our lives. We will learn to identify when we are stressed. We will discover ways to address it before it builds up to dangerous levels. Be afraid of the POP. It is unnecessary when we take the time to do good self-care!
Bob
Tip – The Stress Test
(From Psychology Today (https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/just-listen/201010/are-you-stressed-out-take-the-quiz))
Are you feeling stressed out? If so, you’re not alone. The quiz below will help you assess your own stress levels. Start by noting all of the items that apply to you.
· I find myself less eager to go back to work or to resume my chores after a weekend.
· I feel less and less patient and/or sympathetic listening to other people’s problems.
· I ask more “closed-ended questions to discourage dialogue with friends and co-workers than “open-ended” ones to encourage it.
· I try to get away from people as soon as I can.
· My dedication to work, exercise, diet, and friendships is waning.
· I am falling further behind in many of the responsibilities in my life.
· I am losing my sense of humor.
· I find it more and more difficult to see people socially.
· I feel tired most of the time.
· I don’t seem to have much fun anymore.
· I feel trapped.
· I know what will make me feel better, but I just can’t push myself to do it and I’ll “Yes, but” any suggestions that people make.
Now, add up the number of items you noted, and check your score below:
0 to 3: More exhausted than stressed out
4 to 6: Beginning to stress out
7 to 9: Possibly stressed out
10 to 12: Probably stressed out
Remember, stress is a dangerous companion in your life. Keep tabs on it and relieve it before it takes your life from you.
Are you feeling stressed out? If so, you’re not alone. The quiz below will help you assess your own stress levels. Start by noting all of the items that apply to you.
· I find myself less eager to go back to work or to resume my chores after a weekend.
· I feel less and less patient and/or sympathetic listening to other people’s problems.
· I ask more “closed-ended questions to discourage dialogue with friends and co-workers than “open-ended” ones to encourage it.
· I try to get away from people as soon as I can.
· My dedication to work, exercise, diet, and friendships is waning.
· I am falling further behind in many of the responsibilities in my life.
· I am losing my sense of humor.
· I find it more and more difficult to see people socially.
· I feel tired most of the time.
· I don’t seem to have much fun anymore.
· I feel trapped.
· I know what will make me feel better, but I just can’t push myself to do it and I’ll “Yes, but” any suggestions that people make.
Now, add up the number of items you noted, and check your score below:
0 to 3: More exhausted than stressed out
4 to 6: Beginning to stress out
7 to 9: Possibly stressed out
10 to 12: Probably stressed out
Remember, stress is a dangerous companion in your life. Keep tabs on it and relieve it before it takes your life from you.
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