A Chick’s Guide to Handling Stressful Situations
Stress. You can live with it, you can’t live without it. Believe it or not, stress actually has positive effects that are essential to your health and safety. It allows you to react with a flight or fight response whenever harmful situations are presented and can help you make the changes that are necessary in your life. Also, if you take stress by the horns and address it appropriately, you may ultimately end up with some seriously positive results. Many would not admit that chick’s lives these days are as stressful as ever. After all, we’re young so there’s nothing to worry about. But that is so far from the truth. If anything, this is the time when stress is at its apex. That being said, it’s important to stay informed and to learn about what you can do to remain calm, cool and collected when you feel like you’re about to burst. Susan Szulewski, who studied psychology with a minor biology at New York University, is currently the Unit Chief of Patient Assessment Services at Butler Hospital. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Butler is a psychiatric hospital known for its dedication to patients seeking mental health assistance. Szulewski plays an important role in their recovery process and, in turn, is quite familiar with stress and its components. “Stress raises your level of adrenaline, which results in an increase in heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure. These increases make bodily organs work harder,” she said. “Over the long term, reducing stress is critical to combating such illnesses as heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke - so it is an important topic.” It’s essential that chicks understand and acknowledge the three different types of stress. First is acute stress. This type of stress is momentary and occurs in such situations as when you jolt backward when a New York cab nearly runs you over as you’re about to cross the street. Then there’s episodic acute stress. This happens when it seems like nothing is going your way - you got a C on a term paper you worked really hard on, your best friend ditched you for her boyfriend again, and you and your boyfriend are arguing like never before. When it seems like life’s constantly handing you anything but lemons, you’re in this danger zone. Last and most dangerous is chronic stress. It wears you out physically and emotionally and puts you in a corner without escape. In fact, it gets so bad that you literally give up hope for a better tomorrow. Szulewski states that knowing these warning signs can help you gauge your level of stress. The levels can overlap or be a result of a physical illness or mental disorder so knowing the signs can prevent things from getting bad to worse. Though it’s unfortunate, stress is unavoidable. At first thought, it’s disappointing. However, if stressful situations are handled properly, the way you feel after can reap some very positive benefits. The most common stress inducers for chicks around our age are family/friends/relationships, school, and work. According to Szulewski, each is manageable: Friends & Family When dealing with your family, friends, and relationship, don’t avoid discussions. They can lead to solutions that wouldn’t have been found if you had ignored the issue at hand. Trivializing is also something to steer clear of. No matter how small something may seem, it’s a stressor and the more you let them accumulate, the worse the stress gets. Be sure to avoid the blame game as well. If there’s a problem, forget about arguing over who caused it and work toward fixing it. Lastly, respect each other’s privacy. If someone comes to you with a problem, don’t discuss it with someone else if they asked you not to. If you feel that you’ll be unable to fulfill their wishes for secrecy, tell them before they spill. School School can really mess with your ability to manage your stress but with Szulewski’s suggestions, you’ll be able to take a step back and work on it with confidence. If you need help, seek it. Don’t be afraid to confront a teacher or tutor. You should also set a time for homework and stick to it. Don’t allow your work to accumulate for the weekend. After a long week, you deserve a day off, so give yourself one. Prioritizing is major as well. If something needs to be done for tomorrow, do that before anything else. When you are assigned a project and are allowed to choose the topic, pick one you enjoy. It’ll make working on it a whole lot easier and you’ll ultimately turn in better work because it made you happy to do it. Although it is inevitable at times, try not to cram. If it’s absolutely necessary, allow yourself a five minute break after an hour of studying to alleviate the amount of stressors you’re faced with. Workplace As time progresses, stress in the workplace is getting worse. But like most other things, much can be done to mediate it. When you wake up in the morning to get ready, get ready for your day, not just work. Time exceeds 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. so you’ll still need a clear mindset when you’re out at the end of the day. If and when you make a plan, stick to it. You made it for a reason so work it with poise. Do not allow yourself to work through your breaks. You need time to clear your head so take advantage of your time off and make sure they’re work free. When the day comes to a close, have a plan for what’s next. This way, you can leave your work behind you and focus on what’s next - preferably some R & R. With so much consuming our everyday lives, it’s no wonder that chicks all over are going bonkers before they hit midday. Whether dealing with mild or extreme stress, it’s important to know the signs so you can concentrate on be-ridding your stress accordingly. Don’t forget that you’re not alone. Invest some of your time in a friend who will let you vent when you need to. Keeping everything inside can only make things worse. So be smart, be honest, and be (mostly) stress free. Chelsea Tirrell is an aspiring writer and magazine journalist at Hofstra University. She often finds herself walking around with a hundred stressors chipping away at her sanity but at the end of the day she kicks off her heels and gives herself some time to relax. Nothing, and she means nothing, feels more glorious.
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