STRESSBUSTERS “A Release Valve: Dealing With Stress” By: Dawnita S. Nilles Family Resource Coordinator, Serving Families in Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina & Walsh Counties

Freud had an interesting thing to say about pain and suffering in life. He said, “Avoid it.”

Stress, What Is It? §Any action or situation that places special physical or psychological demands on a person. §Involuntary, non-specific production of excess energy in the body in order to meet the demands of daily living. §Body’s reaction to demands placed on it.

Stress Accumulation §Accumulated demands or changes over a period of time which tax the ability of the family or individual to maintain balance and threatens or does deplete the energy for coping.

Burnout §Exhaustion from stress overload.

What We Know About Stress... §It is pressure from the outside. §It can lead to personal growth. Stress is INEVITABLE, SURMOUNTABLE, and TEMPORARY.

To Relieve STRESS, I’m not saying you should go around COMPLAINING and SNAPPING at people…. …. I just know what works for me.

Kinds Of Stress §Eustress- positive events in your life. §Distress- negative events in your life.

Societal Factors and Changes §No More Traditional Homes §Increased Mobility §Communication Styles §Move Toward More Organized Activities §Polyphasic Society §“Busy is Better” Mentality §Changes in Family Structure. §Self Esteem Movement and the “Feel Good Syndrome”

Stress Promoters §Poor Communication Skills §Lack of Shared Responsibility at Home. §Loss §Illness/Injury §Job Changes §Family Changes §Change in Lifestyle §Money Issues §Insufficient Family Play Time §Guilt §Retirement §Overscheduled Calendars

Symptoms of Stress §Physiologic Symptoms §Emotional Symptoms §Intellectual Symptoms

Danger Zone Signals §You seem to run out of sympathy and empathy for other people. §You find that you cannot speak nicely to strangers. §You feel the people closest to you take more than they give.

Ideas For Managing Stress §Increase Self Awareness §Laugh §Decrease Perfectionism §Think Positive §Attend to Your Priorities §Improve Communication §Develop Positive Patterns of Conflict Resolution. §Get Control of Your Time §Personal Care §Build a Support Network

When life gets too hectic, I’ve always found that a nice, hot bath can solve most problems. I’ve been in here since last Thursday.