Are You Too Tense?If you find yourself suffering from stress or tension, your work is likely to suffer along with your personal life. Those who take time to relax and release inner tension do much better physically and emotionally than those who fail to engage in such behavior. "Stressmasters," or people who utilize means to master their tension, have a higher quality of life than those who do not or will not "let go." If you scored medium to high on this scale, you probably engage in a behavioral behavioral pertaining to behavior. behavioral disorders see vice. behavioral seizure see psychomotor seizure. style that is not conducive con·du·cive adj. Tending to cause or bring about; contributive: working conditions not conducive to productivity. See Synonyms at favorable. to effective stress management. If you can find more time to relax, you will counteract the negative effect of stress. Learn how to relax your body and emotions by focusing your attention on more peaceful thoughts. Things to know Being tense and finding little or no time to relax is an important stress indicator. The value you place on taking time for yourself determines whether you are a relaxed person in a tense world -- the sign of a true stressmaster. Tense people often feel incredible levels of guilt about taking it easy and being good to themselves. Prolonged pro·long tr.v. pro·longed, pro·long·ing, pro·longs 1. To lengthen in duration; protract. 2. To lengthen in extent. tension can cause muscle aches, pain, and fatigue. Back and headache headache Pain in the upper portion of the head. Episodic tension headaches are the most common, usually causing mild to moderate pain on both sides. They result from sustained contraction of face and neck muscles, often due to fatigue, stress, or frustration. pain are the most common physical symptoms of too much stress and tension. Other symptoms include the following: * Pain and disease * Poor decision making * Reduced physical energy * Increased errors * Burnout Burnout Depletion of a tax shelter's benefits. In the context of mortgage backed securities it refers to the percentage of the pool that has prepaid their mortgage. * Lower quality of work * Difficulty concentrating * Tendency to avoid others Tense people rarely take lunch breaks, read books, or take a walk. Things you can do Take time for you! Ask yourself: "Am I giving too much to others and not enough for myself? Do I need to take time to pamper pam·per tr.v. pam·pered, pam·per·ing, pam·pers 1. To treat with excessive indulgence: pampered their child. 2. myself?" If the answers are "yes," refuse to feel guilty about it and do it! If you feel guilty when you do something enjoyable for yourself, chances are you will stop doing it. Ultimately, you lose. You may be living your life through other people's standards and expectations. Take control of your guilt-producing thoughts. Focus on the benefits to you and your family that will occur when you are a more relaxed and energized person. Go to lunch and don't rush Take a long lunch break at least three times a week Don't do business during lunch. Read a novel over a cup of tea. Go to a museum. Sit quietly by a stream. Eat slowly. Try a new restaurant. Go out with a good friend and agree not to discuss problems or business. Walk every day Walk by yourself or with a friend. Talk about possibilities, not problems. Exercise more Join an aerobics aerobics (ârō`biks), [Gr.,=with oxygen], system of endurance exercises that promote cardiovascular fitness by producing and sustaining an elevated heart rate for a prolonged period of time, thereby pumping an increased amount of oxygen-rich class, go to the gym, play tennis, ride a bike, hike on weekends, go to a fitness resort, or jog with friends. Exercise will do more to reduce stress hormones Stress hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine are released at periods of high stress. The hormone regulating system is known as the endocrine system. Cortisol is believed to affect the metabolic system and norepinephrine is believed to play a role in ADHD and chemicals in our body than any other activity. Learn deep relaxation skills Take a class in yoga yoga (yō`gə) [Skt.,=union], general term for spiritual disciplines in Hinduism, Buddhism, and throughout S Asia that are directed toward attaining higher consciousness and liberation from ignorance, suffering, and rebirth. , imagery training, progressive relaxation, or autogenics. Practice your relaxation skills every day. Listen to relaxation tapes Audiotapes are an excellent way to learn how to let go and relax. Develop the skill of deep relaxation that will cleanse cleanse tr.v. cleansed, cleans·ing, cleans·es To free from dirt, defilement, or guilt; purge or clean. [Middle English clensen, from Old English your body of damaging stress hormones and chemicals. Listen to relaxing music Any type of music you find enjoyable can help you to let go and relax. New Age music and some classical music are particularly helpful for reducing stress. Scott Roberts is a freelance writer based in Tarzana. |
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