At some time or another, we all experience stress. Sometimes it stems from family, relationships, or work; but regardless of its source, it still feels the same. Stress cannot be avoided, however, we can learn to effectively manage and prevent it from overtaking our lives.
The first step to coping with stress is to recognize its source and to identify what it is about this source that is causing you distress. As mentioned earlier, stress can come from many different reasons that is why it is helpful to explore these sources and why they can be troubling.
Probably the most common source of stress comes from the family. Families are made up of individuals, each with their own unique personality. When you place these different personalities together, conflict will undoubtedly surface and cause stress. Individuals will also experience distress when a family member becomes ill or engages in self-destructive behaviors.
Family-related stress is perfectly normal and most people can overcome the pressure in due time. However, if you find that you or your family is unable to cope with the stress, it may be time to seek professional counseling to help open up the channels of communication again.
Another big source of stress is relationships. We can experience tension with a loved one because each person has their own way of doing things and interacting with others. When one person fails to meet the expectations of the other, conflict can arise. Problems can also occur during the course of normal (or abnormal) life changes, such as divorce, illness, and work-related issues.
If you think that you and a loved one are having difficulty managing stress, it may be time to sit down and have a heart-to-heart. Sometimes the best medicine in the world for a heavy heart is just being to express yourself openly with someone you care about who will listen.
A final - but not last - source of stress that many of us will encounter stems from work. Many people are not happy with their current job, have interpersonal conflicts with coworkers or the boss, are not being paid enough, feeling powerless or undervalued, and the list can go on indefinitely. .
The best way to deal with job-related stress is to identify what's causing the stress and determine if you have any control over the situation in order to make changes, if not consider working in the dental field and helping others.
Effectively managing the stress you experience in the various areas of your life is possible with the right tools and mindset - discover what's holding you back from overcoming your stress today.
Written by Cathy Warschaw, Director of the Warschaw Learning Institute. Offering cds, eBooks and online training for the dental and medical field. Register for our newsletter at www.WarschawLearningInstitute.com ©2005
