This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

What is Stress? Part 2

When your beliefs conflict with the way you are living your life, stress may result.

Your worldview is your basic beliefs about human nature and what life is about.  This worldview can cause stress when a long held belief is challenged or contradicted by a new experience or when most of the people around you hold a very different worldview. 

To help clarify your worldview, ask yourself the following questions:  How do I see people?  Are they good or bad?  How do I see life?  Is it difficult?  Interesting?  Challenging?

Another major cause of stress is procrastination.  Let's face it, we all put off unpleasant tasks which increases our stress level.  Having an approach to handle procrastination is important.  It's helpful to structure your time using a daily or weekly "to do" list.  Just be sure you are realistic with time frames.  Most of us underestimate how long something will take to do. It's helpful to break up large tasks into smaller more manageable tasks.  Completing things produces a wonderful sense of satisfaction & tranquility, which if enjoyed, reinforces the will to complete the next task. 

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sighing during the day may be your body's way of releasing tension and getting more oxygen.  Practice sighing as a means of relaxation.  Sit up straight, letting out a sound of deep relief as the air rushes out of your lungs.  Sigh 8 to12 times whenever you feel the need for it.

Stress relief quickies:  Get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning; decrease use of caffeine & Nutrasweet (known to cause anxiety); plan ahead; set up "just in case plans" and learn to be assertive.

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?