20/07/2023
STRESSED OUT!
(THE LAST 3 STEPS TO MANAGING STRESS)
“So…” Munachi put the edges of both hands on Dr. Adamu's table in demonstration, “if my negative stressors are more of Important but not Urgent Tasks*¹, you're saying that creating a time schedule to attend to them would help me feel less stressed about them?”
“Exactly,” replied Dr. Adamu.
“But how do I deal with the urgent and important stressors*?”
“Like which and which?”
“Like my heavy workload. And even the heavy Lagos traffic I face everyday?”
“That's where we talk about Step 4 in managing stress:”
STEP 4: CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION about your stressors.
William Shakespeare said, “There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.”
“Always see the cup🥤 as HALF FULL rather than HALF EMPTY. Putting things in the right perspective helps a lot. For instance, when you're in traffic, see it as an extra 30 minutes or 1 hour to cover a book you've been longing to read, or to listen to an audio program or message that will develop your mind or spirit. See it as an advantage rather than a disadvantage.”
“Okay, how about work? How am I supposed to view my heavy workload in a positive light?”
“You can start by being thankful for having a job at all,” Dr. Adamu replied.
Munachi rolled her eyes.
“It's a law of the universe. Gratitude attracts more blessings into your life. Seek out 10 specific things you're thankful for about your work and be grateful for them every morning. When you practice this for up to 30 days, your workload won't seem as heavy.”
Munachi shrugged. “Okay, I could do that. How about the last 2 steps of stress management?”
STEP 5: REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON YOUR BODY
“Chase out stress through stress reversal strategies like deep breathing techniques (in between work activities), prayer, music, meditation, yoga, and so on.
“The final stress management strategy I'll share with you is:
STEP 6: BUILD YOUR RESILIENCE TO STRESS
“You can actually build your mental and physical reserve functional capacity against stress using the 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine.”
“The 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine,“ Munachi repeated meditatively. “Sounds familiar. I think I once saw something about that on your WhatsApp status, right?”
“Yes! During our Lifestyle Medicine Week. Do you remember them?”
“I think so. The pneumonic is….DREAMS, right?”
“Right,” he replied with his thumbs up.
“Okay. I believe the 'D' stands for diet.”
“Yes, and the diet should be WFPB (whole food-plant based).”
“Alright, 'R' should stand for Relationships?”
Dr. Adamu nodded. “Relationships and social connections. Connecting regularly with friends proves very helpful in relieving.”
“ 'E' is easy: Exercise regularly.”
“Good. And 'A'?”
“Mmmm… I'm not sure I can remember what the letter A stands for?”
“Okay, let me help you from here.”
- 'A' stands for Avoidance of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, to***co and street drugs
- 'M' stands for Mental Wellbeing - through relaxing activities and connecting with loved ones.
- 'S' is for sleep, which should be adequate in duration and restorative in quality.
“With slow and consistent practice,” Dr. Adamu concluded, “you can master all 6 stress management strategies:
Learn your body's stress signals
Identify your stressors
Plan and prepare for preventable stressors
Change your perception about your stressors
Reduce the effects of stress on your body
Build your resilience to stress using the 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine (D.R.E.A.M.S.).”
To your health! 🥂
© Pretty.Dr.Vickee
📝 July 2023
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KEY: *1:- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/victoria-oseiwe-udofia-0781448a_stressmanagement-stressrelief-stress-activity-7085244817798049793-aQ1v?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android
