Feeling stressed? Join the club. The number of stressors our society faces on a daily basis has increased immensely during the last 10 years, and with the speed that we are leading our lives, chances are they will continue to do so. There are many things you can do to prevent, avoid, and deal with the most common stressors in your life, but, no matter how you deal with them, make sure to avoid the following stressors like the plague. Even though they may require major changes in your habits, you will be happy you did. Here is a first list of 10 things you need to avoid at all costs. 1. TV It is hard to believe but television is one of the greatest kill joys that have even been invented. Not mentioning the ability to kill social interaction, what you see in television is a great source of stress. Besides some excellent trash that is shown in an infinite number of channels, think commercials. The basic premise of good advertising is that it needs to create a need by instilling pain, fear or other negative emotions. Next time you watch commercials, pay attention to what kind of negative emotion they are making you feel, and what kind of solution for this problem that they just created for you, they are proposing. You will see what I mean. Now, if you must, watch one sitcom that is really funny. Turn off the TV after that. 2. News Read good news only. Have you noticed how many bad news TV and radio bombard us with every day? Studies tell us that over 90% of the news we heard are bad news. You are already stressed. Why piling up on negative stressors? Some people argue that you need to know what is happening in the world; we need to be informed. Granted. But you could also know about things later on, when the buzz has already subsided. You dont need more stress in your life. And, by the way, there are good sources of information that arent so negative. Do a search using the words happy or good news. 3. Arguments Dont even think about starting an argument about whos taking the trash out, or who did or didnt do something. Let go. This is hardly the time to pursue fairness. It is even more important when you are in a quarrelling/ fighting mood, which is obviously provoked by your own stress. Resist. When you are in this mood, the best thing you can do is to retrieve to a quiet place until the mood is gone. 4. Caffeine This is not the time to stimulate your adrenals. Avoid coffee, chocolate (even the soothing hot cocoa), sodas (even decaf ones) or black tea. Substitute them for herbal tea. Chamomile tea is very good. Anything decaf and natural is good. Sodas are out, especially the ones with sugar substitutes. 5. Rap or hard rock music There is definitely a time and a place for this type of music and when you dont feel good or when you are stressed out is NOT one of them. Many provoke anger, despair, and violence. Listen to calming music instead. A good example is the kind of music that doesnt bring your memory to the past. Memories can be very stressful as well. Of course, not all stress has a negative impact in ones life. For example, you are going on a much expected trip. It is exciting and you can hardly wait. Or, you are about to get married. These are stressful situations all right, but they are not necessarily negative. Some stressors, albeit negative, need to be dealt in a positive way, as they are unavoidable. For example, if you must bike in heavy traffic, think of the benefits of your activity: you are saving resources and getting exercise at the same time. Or, perhaps, you need to wait in line in the post office to send a package abroad to someone you love, so you put up with it; you will make someone happy. In Part 2 we will discuss other 5 things to avoid. To be continued |
