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A Guide to Wellness from HelpPeople

[Sleep] [Nutrition: Fact or Fiction]
[Proper Computer Work Positions Checklist] [Safety Tips]

As your employee assistance program, we've prepared this guide to help you identify signs of stress and make positive changes to reduce or eliminate stress in your life.

SIGNS OF STRESS

Physical Signs of Stress

  • headache
  • nausea/vomiting
  • loss of or excessive appetite
  • tightness of breathing
  • constant fatigue
  • sleep disturbance
  • increase use of alcohol/drugs

    Emotional Signs of Stress

  • irritability
  • withdrawal
  • suspiciousness
  • tendency to cry
  • depression
  • angry outbursts

    Intellectual Signs of Stress

  • forgetfulness
  • diminished productivity
  • inability to concentrate
  • past oriented rather than present or future oriented

    STRESS REDUCERS

  • Develop healthy habits with regard to diet, rest and exercise
  • Identify and try to resolve sources of conflict; improve communication.
  • Control-and change-what you can; seek information when you don't know what's going on.
  • Reach out to others; share your feelings; look to someone who has survived upheavals.
  • Strive for balance.
  • Practice natural deep breathing.
    • Sit in a comfortable chair.
    • Note any tension in your muscles.
    • Put one hand on your chest, the other on your stomach.
    • Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose allowing your stomach to expand and push your hand out.
    • After your stomach is full with air, allow chest to expand, pushing your upper hand out.
    • Hold for 3 seconds.
    • Purse lips and exhale through mouth.
    • Continue for 3-5minutes.
    • After a while, you may no longer need your hands for support.
  • Prioritize your activities with a daily "to do list."
  • Plan ahead – include an extra 15 minutes in your morning
  • Avoid over committing yourself. Don't be afraid to say NO.
  • Use these three tests of time:

    Test of Necessity

    Ask yourself: Is this activity really necessary?

    Test Of Appropriateness

    Ask yourself: Am I the one who should be doing this activity?

    Test of Efficiency

    Ask yourself: Is there a better way to do this?

    Of course, whenever you need someone to listen and understand, don't hesitate to call us at 315/470-7447 or 800/777-6110 for free and confidential assistance. You also can e-mail us at HelpPeople@crouse.org. And remember everyone needs help sometime.