(Or it will manage you!)

Stress is Normal  Everyone deals with stress  It is normal, natural, and necessary  As with everything…it is important to know how to cope with it.

What is Stress?  The arousal of the mind & the body in response to the demands made upon you  Physical demands  Psychological demands  Environmental demands

There are Two Types of Stress  Internal Stress – the pressure that you internally place upon yourself when you experience the stressful event  External Stress - the outside pressures that create a stressful environment

Types of Stressors  Major Life Events Such As:  Marriage  Divorce  Move  Children  Job Change  Illness

Daily Events  Conflict  Deadlines  Being asked to do more for less  Multi-tasking

Physiological Responses  Fight or flight  Sweating  Increased Heart Rate  Increased Blood Pressure  Increased Muscle Tension  Increased Respiration  Indigestion difficulties

Psychological Reactions  Depression  Guilt  Anxiety  Perfectionism  Anger  Sadness

You Know You Are In Trouble  Headaches  Decreased Productivity  Intermittent Sleep Disturbance  Fatigue or Lethargy  Frequent Illness or Absences from Work  Depression  Intermittent Explosive Disorder

If You Find Yourself Saying  I can’t get out of bed  I can’t relax  I don’t enjoy life  I am procrastinating about everything  Everything gets on my nerves

Or If You Run on Automatic  Do you multitask?  Do you take care of others first?  Are you constantly thinking of the next activity?

You know you are stressed if…………  You are too tired to brush or floss your teeth  You are too busy to exercise  You go to bed without washing your face  You forget your thoughts

Your Six Needs  Emotional  Social  Intellectual  Spiritual  Physical  Recreational

How do You Combat Stress? Attend to Your Physical needs.  Get 7-8 hours of sleep  Learn how to balance your body  Find ways to replenish yourself  Put rest and relaxation into your day

Your Physical Needs  Do you have a balanced day of rest, relaxation, and activity?  Do you hug people?  Do you have physical contact with other people?  Do you go to the doctor?

Emotional Needs  There are 5 primary feelings  Anger  Sadness  Happiness  Fear  Loneliness  Mad  Sad  Glad  Afraid  Alone

Identifying & Expressing Your Feelings  Do you know your emotional needs?  Do you honor your feelings?  Do you express feelings?  Do you implode or explode?  Do you have safe people to talk about your feelings?

You Are Important!!! There will only be one of you at all times…. Fearlessly have the courage to be yourself!