Stress – The Last Article You’ll Need To Read

Aprofessor was walking around the classroom as she was teaching stress management to her class.

She went to her desk where she raised a glass half filled with water. The students expected her to ask, “Is the glass half empty or half full?”

One student answered, “12 oz.” Another responded, “16 oz.”

After receiving several more incorrect answers the professor replied,

She continued,“The stresses and worries of life are like holding the glass of water. Briefly think about them and it’s not a problem. Think about them longer and they begin to cause pain.

If we carry our burdens all the time eventually we will not be able to carry on. The burden becomes more and more heavier.

What we have to do is put the glass down and rest before picking it up again. Similarly, we have to put down our burdens periodically, so we can be refreshed and carry on.”

Just as it’s important to set your glass down to avoid a sore arm, it’s even important to remember to let go of your stresses and worries.

Stress Management Strategies

#1: Avoid Unnecessary Stress

• Learn How to Say “No” 

• Avoid People Who Stress You Out
  

• Take Control of Your Environment
  

• Avoid Hot-Button Topics

• Trim Down Your to-do List 

# 2: Change The Situation

• Express Your Feelings Instead of Bottling Them Up
  

• Be Willing to Compromise
  

• Be More Assertive
  

• Manage Your Time Better
  

#3: Adapt to the Stressor

• Look at Problems From a Different Perspective
  

• Look at the Big Picture
  

• Adjust Your Standards

• Focus on the Positive
  

#4: Accept the Things You Can’t Change

• Don’t try to Control the Uncontrollable
  

• Look for the Upside
  

• Share Your Feelings
  

• Learn to Forgive
  

#5: Make Time for Fun and Relaxation

• Set Aside Relaxation Time

• Connect with Others

• Do Something you Enjoy Every Day

• Keep your Sense of Humor

• Meditate

#6: Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

• Exercise Regularly
  

• Eat a Healthy Diet
  

• Reduce Caffeine and Sugar
  

• Avoid Alcohol, Cigarettes, and Drugs

• Get Enough Sleep

Words To Bring A Smile

1) Accept the fact some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue!

2) Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3) Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4) Drive carefully… it’s not just cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5) If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6) If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7) It may be your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8) Never buy a car you can’t push.

9) Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time – you won’t have a leg to stand on.

10) Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.

11) Since it’s the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12) The second mouse gets the cheese.

13) When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.

14) Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

16) Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

17) We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

18) A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

19) Save the earth…..it’s the only planet with chocolate!

20) Done is better than perfect.

21) Fortune favors the bold.

22) Move fast and break things.

23) Proceed and be bold.

24) Stay focused and keep shipping.

25) What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

26) Don’t let perfect get in the way of possible.

If carrying around a glass of water over an extended period of time can have the physical effects described above, just imagine what carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders for your lifetime will do to you.  Use the stress management strategies above to help you better cope with the stress in your life.  If you want to turn your life around read this post on Thankfulness.

About the author

Gerardo Campbell is a Nebraska native who now calls Silicon Valley, California home. In 1995, Gerardo married his wife Roberta aka the Pretty Lady and became the stepdad to her two children. In 2011, he started the website Support for Stepfathers in an effort to reverse the nearly 70% divorce rate for blended families in the United States. His website is to help and inspire stepfathers, aspiring stepfathers and the women who love them worldwide. You can follow Support for Stepdads on Twitter @support4stepdad and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/resourcesforstepfathers.