Stress
Stress... We hear a lot about it. What is it exactly?
Stress is inescapable and continuous — only the levels of stress change.
Stress is not always negative. Think of the Olympic ski jumper about to take off.
Individual differences exist in our responses to stress. People develop comfort levels with stress.
Stress occurs when the pressures we face are greater than our perceived resources.
What kinds of pressures do we face?
Work, school, finances, traffic, relationships, illness, aging, grief...
Chronic stress can lead to adverse health consequences such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
How do we increase our internal resources?
- Be aware of your stress. What does it look like? What does it feel like? Where do you carry it in your body? When does it happen? When does it not happen? What is different when it does not happen?
- Practice setting boundaries and limits at work, at home or at school.
- Self-Care: proper nutrition, exercise, sleep, hygiene, making time for ourselves. Not losing ourselves in the demands of the day. For the butchier types amongst us: Making sure there is gas in our gas tank and that the oil gets changed on a regular basis.
- Humour.
- Decrease negative self-talk. Every time you hear your inner voice using the words "I should...", stop and ask yourself: Who told me that and is it true?
Listed below are resources intended to provide further information about stress —
its effects and how to manage it.
Meditation & Mindfulness
Stress Reduction Program (Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society)Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction - the above brochure contains information about this stress management program and if you go their website
(http://www.umassmed.edu/content.aspx?id=41252) they will link you to similar programs in Canada - University Health Network has one, North York General Hospital has another. There are several MD's practicing and the cost is covered under OHIP as long as you have a doctor's referral.
Support for StressMindfulness Stress Reduction Clinics (University Health Network)Toronto Women’s Meditation Group (a WRIB sub-group) TWMG has been meeting regularly
since July of 2008. The group provides an LGBT and allies, non-judgemental,
non-denominational, inclusive space for developing a mindful meditation
practice. The TWMG was founded by Sherap Andrea Winn, a
second-generation Shambhalian Buddhist, and is currently led by Sherap,
Jo-Ann and Maria M.
Coping with Stress
Coping with Stress (Heart and Stroke Foundation and CMHA) Tips for Dealing With Stress and Tension (WRIB)The CALMER Worksheet (WRIB)Stress Test (Heart and Stroke Foundation)
DISCLAIMER: The
information and documents contained in this section are presented for
information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to
replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified
practitioner, and should not replace treatment or be used as a basis
for self-diagnosis.
If you find information on the site that should be corrected, please contact us.