Are we failing the “stress” test?

By Karen McNew
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: October 23, 2008

We all have stress and we all have times when we let it get to us but it doesn’t have to rule our worlds.  Today some of the people I care about most have stress in their voices… 

As I was talking to one of my good friends today I said, “Hello, how are you?“  The friend replied, “I am stressed.  What do you need?“ 
I said, “Nothing.. just saying hi.“  My friend was not mean but I could tell the response was a “defense” mechanism to get through the trials of the day and to move on to the next order of business. 

My stress comes out in different ways… if it is something emotional I am grumpy and sometimes unreasonable with the people I care about most.  If it is something time or deadline related I become focused and methodical.. (the way my friend was today) If it is a physical stress like running or lifting weights… I try the mind over matter approach…

Tonight at the gym during my last set of reps.. I wanted to give up but just kept the “just one more” attitude… which is one that I think can get us through a lot… just one more day until the weekend… just one more mile until the end of the workout… just one more week until payday… you name it and “just one more” is a phrase that can sometimes get us through…

The National Institutes of Health has some great ways to deal with stress beginning with :

* Make an effort to stop negative thoughts
* Plan some fun
* Refocus the negative into the positive
* Take a break
* Think positively

Link to more stress management tips from NIH