Stress management
Today’s column will discuss the last of the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. The reader will recall we have already reviewed sleep, nutrition, substance use, physical activity, and social connection. What remains is “stress management,” something all of us can relate to (I recall a relative who used to say, “I’ve got one nerve left, and you’re standing on it”).
“Stress” is pressure on a system—in this case, the system is you. (As an aside, “burnout” is depletion because of the overstressed system….) Stress itself is not always bad, though. It can be motivating, and in measured amounts it can help with focus. However, our inability to manage excessive stress can result in impairment. Currently, the best national example of both of those conditions is probably the performance of Olympic athletes in Italy.
Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist who has studied stress has noted that people who see stress as a signal to meet the challenge have improved resilience and health. People who view stress as harmful have negative physical and emotional outcomes. Her Ted Talk, “How to Make Stress Your Friend,” is worth a look.
Managing stress can be viewed in short term and long-term scenarios. Short term, there are techniques a person can use “in real time” to reduce one’s anxiety, such as breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, sensory grounding, meditation, and so on. In the longer term, from a physical standpoint, you can take care of your body in ways that prepare you to remain healthy to meet life’s demands (for example by managing the first four pillars noted in the introduction). From a cognitive and emotional standpoint, you can set yourself up for success by maintaining social connections and learning to challenge cognitive distortions that push you into negative spaces.
So, again, “stress” is pressure. “Manage” means to be in charge, to control. And those of us who can better manage our stress are often better able to control it and, subsequently, avoid burnout and the negative physical and emotional effects that come with it.
Reminder, if you would like to share inspirational quotes, stories, or ideas which might be helpful to others, please feel free to email our colleague Dr. Melissa Naslund at melissa.naslund@UND.edu.
