The Ultimate Goal of Stress Management
Healthful Vitality | 10/13/2021 | By NP Contributor | Goal of Stress Management
Continuous low-grade stress is far more dangerous than acute stress. Acute stress generally lasts for a few minutes or hours. However, chronic stress may last for months or years. Experts say that it is like keeping an alarm button pressed for months and years. Ultimately, it may cause numerous ill effects.
Chronic stress is indeed challenging to manage. Problems related to jobs, income, paying bills will persist. However, it is also essential to understand that worrying too much about these issues will not solve matters.
It is not rare for individuals to respond to stress by switching to some bad habits like binge eating or substance abuse. These actions may help, but they do more harm than good.
The ultimate goal of stress management
The ultimate goal of stress management is to find a balance in life, a balance between work pressures and personal life. To become happier and healthier. To be able to relax and have fun. A relaxed person is also more productive and has greater chances of staying stress-free. One needs to develop a degree of resilience. Regretfully, there are no foolproof methods for overcoming stress or something that works for all.
Identify the source of stress
Goals can be set if and when the problem is recognized or identified. It is not easy to identify the source of stress. However, one may learn about sources of stress by looking closely at the problems. Keeping a stress journal may help in many cases. Experts believe that the only way to overcome stress is when people identify their role in maintaining stress.
Four A of stress management
1. Avoid stress
The most important thing is to avoid stress. Experts say that one should learn to say “no” to certain things. One may not get engaged in an activity that ultimately causes stress. It is good to identify and avoid people who lead to stress. These days even social media could be a source of stress, with many friends, media channels continually sharing negative information.
2. Alter the stress
The next step is to alter the stress. It may mean sometimes acting proactively and handling the situation. Other times it may mean just giving up or compromising. It also involves sharing thoughts and feelings with others. It is also about creating a work-life balance.
3. Adapt it
If you cannot alter it, then adapt to it. One needs to change their perspective of looking at things. It is about trying to forget about these issues, for the time being, taking breaks. Adapting is about developing proper stress responses or internal mechanisms to reduce stress. It may also involve practicing hobbies, doing breathing exercises, and so on.
4. Accept it
Ultimately, if one cannot avoid or alter stress, then one should accept it. Stress is often caused by issues that are beyond a person’s reach. One cannot alter traffic jams, monthly bills, or the loss of loved ones. Thus, one should learn to accept things as they are and not stress about them. Sharing feelings with others may help. Business people often use the SMART system to attain goals. It means setting goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.
Related: Best Stress Busters for Acute and Chronic Stress