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Stress...and How to Cope
Stress is a natural phenomenon we all experience in our lives. Whether it be juggling work, family and friends;having a home-based business with little children under foot;illness; aging parents; and the list goes on infinitum. The question isn't do we have stress; the question is how can we reduce and deal with it in a healthy way? This section of the Modern Opportunity site is dedicated to all of us on the treadmill of life. Please feel free to email me with questions or suggestions Email Fran
Read "A Return To Basics: The Search For Self And Purpose"
by Dr. Rae G. Baum
Read "EAP Programs" by Nancy Hazelton
Read Ancient Art of Yoga is the Modern Man's/Woman's Savior to Combat Stress
by Francine York
Read "Turning Anxiety Into Opportunity" by Nancy Hazelton
Read Thoughts About Stress by Mike, Profitable Speaking
Read a Book Review of "Toxic Stress...7 steps to recovery" by Marilyn J. Varcoe,Ph.D and Patricia Burnett
Read Stop and Smell the Roses by Sandy Karn
Read Quotes Pertaining to Stress.
Quotes Pertaining to Stress
"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it." - Lena Horne, Singer and Actress
"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the
sunlight." - Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) Philosopher and statesman
"Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for power equal to your tasks." -
Phillips Brooks "It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
-Epictetus, the 1st Century Greek Philosopher
There will always be a conflict between "good" and "good
enough."
Henry Martyn Leland (1843-1932)
Mechanical engineer
"What worries you, masters you."
- Haddon W. Robinson, Minister and Author
When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang
on.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945)
32nd U.S. President
- "If you had a friend who talked to you, like you
sometimes talk to yourself, would you continue to hang
around with that person?"
- Rob Bremer, Speaker
- Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but
with what it is still possible for you to do.
Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)
- "Learn to say no. It will be of more use to you than to
be able to read Latin."
- Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Minister
The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to
burn.....
"That's my gift. I let that negativity roll off me like
water off a duck's back. If it's not positive, I didn't
hear it. If you can overcome that, fights are easy."
- George Foreman, Championship Boxer
Victor Frankl, a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp. He says,
"The last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in
any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
"I wanted a perfect ending...Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems
don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment, and making
the
best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious
ambiguity."
~ Gilda Radner
Do yourself a favor. Overlook at least two things today.
M. J. Ryan,
Editor
[S]ometimes we have to give ourselves what we wish we could
get from someone else.
Phillip C. McGraw,
Television personality and writer
If you don't understand yourself you don't understand
anybody else.
Nikki Giovanni,
Poet
Anyone can hit bottom--but can you bounce back up?
Nobody is stronger...than someone who came back. There is
nothing you can do to such a person because whatever you
could do is less than what has already been done to him.
Elie Wiesel,
Writer
Asking for support from the right people at the right time
helps you summon the courage to show more of who you are to
the world.
Rhonda Britten,
Life coach and motivational speaker
"We should have no regrets. The past is finished. There is
nothing to be gained by going over it. Whatever it gave us
in the experiences it brought us was something we had to
know."
- Rebecca Beard, Author
Adversity causes some men to break; others to break
records.
William Arthur Ward,
Educator
Men stumble over pebbles, never over mountains.
Author unknown
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.
Maori proverb
- We all have to go through the tumbler a few times before we
can emerge as a crystal.
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,
Psychiatrist
Take yourself less seriously.
Odette Pollar,
Writer
Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb,
but how well you bounce.
"One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful."
- Sigmund Freud
"An individual's self-concept is the core of his personality. It affects every aspect of human behavior: the ability to learn, the capacity to grow and change... A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success in life."
- Dr. Joyce Brothers, Author and Psychiatrist
"Remember you will not always win. Some days, the most resourceful individual will taste defeat. But there is, in this case, always tomorrow - after you have done your best to achieve success today."
- Maxwell Maltz, Author
You don't get ulcers from what you eat. You get them from
what's eating you.
Vicki Baum (1888-1960)
Writer and playwright
Resentments are burdens we don't need to carry.
Author Unknown
We can't always control what happens to us, but we can
always control how we react to it.
Robert Urich (1946-2002)
Actor
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A Return To Basics: The Search For Self And Purpose
by Dr. Rae G. Baum
Have you ever wondered what your life would be like with a quiet mind and a calm body. Recently, attention has been given to an interest in "returning to the basics."
Questions such as "Who am I?" and "What do I want?" have been asked and heard in the boardroom and the bedroom. These questions have been asked through out the ages. A return to basics is currently being explored in every aspect of life.
The search for self and purpose is as paramount to stress management, effective living and learning as is the integration of the mind and the body.
How often have you being faced with making a decision and your mind sent you one message, and your body sent you another? A lack of mind-body integration may be a cause of this often-encountered experience.
As we all know, the mind and the body interact and influence each other. What you think and do affects how you feel, and how you feel affects what you think and do. This interaction, though, is limited to the conscious aspect of your life. On a deeper level, on the unconscious level, both your thinking and feeling are affected by energy factors in your body. Every unresolved issue produces stress, a body response and possibly tension. Every tension is an energy block in your body. Every energy block is an unconscious attitude that suppresses your sense of yourself.
Bioenergetic analysis is a way of regaining your sense of yourself (who you are) and your purpose (what you want) by opening your energy blocks, and using your energy to live your life fully and spontaneously, with joy, pride and grace. According to Alexander Lowen, M.D., the founder of Bioenergetic Analysis and other Bioenergetic Analysts, every energy block decreases your sense of self.
Dr. Lowen and others maintain that your body and your mind are functionally identical; that is, what goes on in your mind affects what is happening in your body; and what goes on in your body reflects what is happening in your mind.
To know yourself and your purpose comes from opening your energy blocks and releasing the feelings that are there. Breath, movement and voice are elements of this process, and these elements are used to open your energy blocks. Once these energy blocks are opened and you decide to let go and, surrender to life as you release the feelings and perceptions that are found in your energy blocks, your life becomes yours, and you begin to experience a new feeling of well-being.
A return to basics, then, begins and ends with you being in your body. The process is one of you getting in touch with, and staying in touch with your body moment to moment without any expectations or judgment. One way to stay in the here-and-now is to look at yourself in the mirror, again, without any expectation or judgment.
The process continues as you focus on the love energy that is in the universe, and bringing this love energy to you.
Forgive yourself and others; and love yourself and others, for whatever is in your life you have created. You can create anything you want by being in our body, focusing on what you want, and returning to the basics -- forgiveness and love.
Dr. Rae G. Baum is the founder & CEO of The Baum Group. As a consultant, author, and speaker, Dr. Rae has been changing the world with care by helping businesses, families and individuals since 1972. Be sure to visit The Baum Group's web site
Your Stress Matters to get your personalized online business and personal consultation, and much, much more!
Anyone may publish this article if this resource box is included, and no modification be made without written permission. Send your comments, questions, and requests to:
Dr. Rae
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EAP Programs by Nancy Hazelton, CSW
Employee Assistance Program providers are on the frontline of preventive medicine. The private and public businesses that provide our services to their workforce are aware of the benefits of our services. As personal and/or workplace issues are addressed, performance and productivity increase.
Today we are faced with challenges of an often-fast paced and turbulent environment. Health care providers have access to global information and advanced technologies. How do we incorporate these challenges and knowledge into our professional goals? Our profession faces the same challenges that other health care providers do in reaching the population in need of our services.
The federal government has sponsored health care initiatives over this and past administrations. Today, "Healthy People 2010 challenges individuals, communities, and professionals-indeed, all of us- to take specific steps to ensure that good health, as well as long life, are enjoyed by all." (see - www.health.gov/healthypeople) According to public health information, we have the capacity to increase the quality and years of our healthy lives. However, we need to eliminate health disparities among populations. How do we, EAPs, help eliminate health care disparities?
The key to people feeling comfortable in accessing our services relies on our approach. In many cases, health care professionals have lacked the incentive to provide preventive health care services because of monetary and insurance coverage limitations. Individuals have become discouraged and experienced disappointment when seeking health care. We have the continued obligation to bridge the gap between clients/patients, their immediate family members and the necessary services in their communities. They may not access mental health care or other related services due to various barriers (social, economic, cultural, et al.).
As EAP professionals, we promote respect, social reciprocity and esteemed workplace environments. Our in-house service trainings, workshops and publications provide outreach to individuals and provide many opportunities to influence the workplace environment through employee, management and supervisory publications and trainings.
Through professional networking, we encourage our businesses to flourish and provide forums for emotional support and creative exchange. Healthy People 2010 offers further networking opportunities for EAPs to influence positive outcomes in life's continuum of experiences.
Nancy Hazelton, CSW practices at New Bridge Employee Services - EAP
Email her
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"Turning Anxiety Into Opportunity" by Nancy Hazelton, CSW
Why do some people blossom in the face of stress while others wither? The determining factor may be whether you feel in control of your life. People who choose their paths, regardless of how stressful they are, do not suffer from stress as much as those who have no choice.
Take control of your life. How? The first step is to get organized. Figure out what is important to you. Learn not to waste time on little things that don't matter. Many people put off organizing because it takes time and energy at first. The benefit of being in control of your time and energy outweighs the initial investment. Commitment - be deliberate, consider how you take care of yourself, how you commit time, choose work meaningful, and if that is not possible, do the best at the work you are given.
Be Open to Change - All of us are subject to the curves life throws at us. There are two ways to react to change: (1) letting it toss you about like a strong wind, or (2). use this wind to fill your sails and help you get where you want to go.
Control, commitment and openness to change are the keys to turning anxiety into opportunity. Nancy Hazelton, CSW practices at New Bridge Employee Services - EAP
Email her
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Ancient Art of Yoga is the Modern Man's/Woman's Savior to Combat Stress
by Francine York
Problems in the modern world can best be alleviated by calling upon the ancient art of Yoga. The practice has been around for thousands of years; but now, more than ever, we need its incredible powers. Just like the home remedies of peoples living centuries ago, Yoga can be incorporated into revitalization of your mind, body and spirit for the 21st century. "The ancient practice of yoga has long been regarded as an effective way of relieving emotional stress, curing bodily ills, and achieving personal equilibrium." 1
Whether you work at home or "out in the world" stresses will get to you from all corners of your life. The trick is not to spend time trying to avoid them…you can't…nobody can; but, rather, we ALL must learn how to deal with the inevitable occurrences of life's stressful situations.
Yoga is free/ inexpensive; can be done without props; needs no special clothing; can be practiced in the home/office; and anyone of any age or physical ability can incorporate Yoga into their lifestyle and be able to reap the myriad benefits. "…yoga helps with all these problems. At the physical level, it gives relief from countless ailments. The practice of postures strengthens the body and creates a feeling of well-being. From the psychological viewpoint, Yoga sharpens the intellect and aids concentration It steadies the emotions and encourages a caring concern for others. Above all, it gives hope."2
I tried Yoga on a lark because it was offered in my school district's adult education program. Caring for my two little grandsons while working from home had left me with fatigue, soreness and a general lack of stamina. What I found, was an enjoyable way to "de-stress", increase flexibility and feel a sense of inner peace. Though hard to believe, the practice of a centuries old art can alleviate the stresses of today, it has helped me immeasurably with the many stresses we "modern" people exhibit. My advice…endeavor to make Yoga a part of your life and your life will be enhanced much more than you can imagine.
1. Yoga, The Iyengar Way by Silva, Mira and Shyam Mehta, back cover.
2. Yoga, The Iyengar Way by Silva, Mira and Shyam Mehta, page`8
Francine York is the publisher of the Modern Opportunity newspaper and website (http://www.modernopportunity.com). Both vehicles offer vital business information and are a source of business opportunities, products and services for those desiring to go into business as well as new entrepreneurs. Ms. York also hosts a business opportunity EXPO where exhibitors offering a wide variety of money making opportunities, services and products come together in one venue to offer the public access to all aspects of this industry. For further information, email her at fran@modernopportunity.com or call (631) 673-3208
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Thoughts About Stress by Mike, Profitable Speaking
About 90 % of the requests I receive to speak have to do with humor and stress management. With this in mind I offer the following:
* Stress is the number one problem facing employee.
* The World Health Organization says that by the year 2020 depression will be the leading cause of disability.
* 44% of all Long Term Disability claims by teachers are stress related. This is 3-4 times that of the general public.
* According to a Canadian government survey we, as a society, spend 32 billon dollars a year on mental illness.
* 43% of people surveyed say that they hate their job.
* A British study has found that your health is seriously effected by the quality of your relationship with your supervisor. Those who have a poor relationship with their supervisor tend to have high blood pressure and high stress levels.
* New research links stress to disease.
Damaging Effects of Stress: ( Toronto Star April 2004)
1. Stress damages the brain and can impair memory function
2. Stress raises blood pressure and stimulates the production of inflammatory hormones which contribute to the build-up of plaque in the arteries.
3. Stress can trigger pain, gas and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It also aggravates stomach ulcers.
4. Stress can aggravate painful joints.
To be healthy, put the brakes on Stress
This is a brief selection from my latest book " You Know You're Stressed Out When...
Well friends I must close for now. Until next month keep in touch and keep talking.
Mike
P.S. Send me your tips, insights and questions for publication in Profitable Speaking.
P.P.S. Let me tell the world about you. Send me three paragraphs plus contact information.
To subscribe to Profitable Speaking send a blank email to profitablespeaking@sendfree.com
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Stop and Smell the Roses by Sandy Karn
"Stop and smell the roses!" We tend to agree with this adage,
yet most of us never do it on a consistent basis.
Some of us put too much emphasis on "stop." We believe that
to smell the roses we need to stop what we are doing.
Therefore we put off the smelling of the roses until we have
some free time. Of course in our contemporary world, we
seldom have any free time. So we put off smelling the roses
until vacation time or a tiny slice of family time.
Some of us are too particular about our "roses." Our culture
tends to position the rose as the ultimate flower expressing
beauty and romance. We often extend this to mean that anything
worth savoring needs to be very special and out of the
ordinary.
The secret is to develop the habit of noticing and enjoying all
the little things we experience or encounter as we go about our
daily lives. With practice, you can learn to find beauty and
pleasure in just about anything. Much has to do with the way
you choose to view things.
Do you like to eat? Do you enjoy your food? Well, you probably
enjoy the occasional special meal with family or friends or the
visit to a gourmet restaurant. What about the other times you
eat? Does the fragrant smell of dinner cooking give you pleasure?
Do you enjoy your purchase from the fast food restaurant or the
TV dinner you throw in the microwave?
If you take time to relax while you eat and really taste your
food, taking time to chew it carefully, you may find that your
level of enjoyment will increase significantly. You might even
reap some health benefits as well.
When you are traveling, whether by car or on foot, do you enjoy
the scenery? Take time to really look and you may find much
beauty to enjoy. Some places have natural beauty; others display
man-made beauty. Every place has some sort of beauty to offer
us.
Even things that are ugly contain elements of beauty in their
structure and design. Do you appreciate the changes in the
weather? Just look for the little things.
You probably talk to people many times each day. Do you enjoy
those conversations? Do you find time for a special conversation
with a friend? I encourage you to savor every possible pleasure.
Your goal:
To learn to really smell the roses on a regular basis.
The result:
You will find considerable pleasure each day in the course of
your regular activities. The elevated level of pleasure helps
to modify your emotional state, reducing stress and anxiety and
promoting a sense of well being and satisfaction.
Your assignment:
Take time this week to really notice the things around you as
you go about your regular activities, looking for things that
bring you pleasure and make you feel good. Then develop the
habit of noticing these things on a regular basis.
Wishing You the Very Best!
Sandy Karn, Results Specialist
Sandy Karn is president of her own company, Creative Results
Sources, Inc., a consulting and training company of over 30
years.
Take her Self Development Quiz! http://www.sandykarn.com/quiz/
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*(The publisher of Modern Opportunity has the final decision regarding which suggestions to use.)
Visit YourStressMatters.com for many helpful articles and information.
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