Page 35 - Workbook2E

Two Types of Negative Stress
The first type of negative distress is acute stress, which rapidly surfaces and is quite intense, but disappears quickly. For example, you’re cruising down the highway feeling happy and singing with the radio—suddenly a police car pulls behind you and signals you to pull over. Unsure of what’s wrong, your heart begins to race, your palms sweat, you try to get out your wallet and roll down the window simultaneously. When the officer says you were driving 6 miles over the limit, you’re surprised and struggle to speak clearly. However, after running a check on your license, he only issues you a warning. Shortly you’re back on the road, feeling relieved and even happy it was nothing more serious—soon you’re singing again. This is short-lived or acute stress.
Chronic stress may not appear to be as intense, but it can last unbearably long. For example if you have a great deal of credit card debt that only seems to grow despite your monthly payments. It can be a constant worry and undermines your feeling of safety and security. Chronic stress begins to affect your performance and decreases your efficiency. It’s the type of stress most associated with disease since the body is continually aroused for danger. Without effective management, it can greatly risk your health and happiness.
Keys to Managing Stress
You need to establish a balance between too little and too much stress. These steps can help guide you to manage your stress effectively.
1) Identify the stressors in your life—the situations and things that cause you to get off-balance.
2) Learn to recognize and understand your body’s reaction to perceived stress. Then you’ll be ready to determine what course of action to take.
3) Learn and practice various stress management strategies so you can successfully work toward resolving your stress, or using it to your advantage.
4) Keep up regular practice of physical exercise and relaxation techniques to maintain the balance of your physical body, mind, and spirit.
5) Periodically evaluate your stress levels and the effectiveness of your coping skills and relaxation techniques. Review what you’ve learned and continue to expand your skills to fit your changing lifestyle.
Now you’re ready to discover more about the stressors in your life, particularly the ones arising from money and finances.
Stress and Your Life
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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