Self Management Skills

Q. What is Stress?

Ans. Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous.

Example

• You are too close to the exams but feel unprepared.
• You are experiencing the loss of someone close to the family.
• You are worried about what people would think of you if you don’t dress well or cannot speak confidently.

Meaning and Importance of Stress Management

Stress Management refers to focusing human efforts on maintaining a healthy body and mind capable of better withstanding stressful situations. Occasional stress is an unavoidable part of one’s life. Stress refers to a “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension”. Small amounts of stress have a positive effect and they help us stretch ourselves to a new level. High levels of stress over prolonged periods need to be managed. A Stress well managed can help one view events and situations as challenges and contributes to the growth of the individual. Unmanaged stress leads to anxiety and sorrow resulting in an ill status of mental and physical health. Stress causal agents can have the following origins.

Mental

Students can be left overwhelmed if they are unable to handle their assignment submission deadlines and examination grades. High expectations from self can leave one with chronic anxiety and stress.

Physical

As children grow up, they may seek more independence, may become critically conscious of their looks, and have to cope up with hormonal changes. Issues related to the general well-being and health of an individual can lead to low self-esteem and cause stress.

Social

Discord amongst family members, peer pressure for doing things which children would generally avoid, maintaining balance in relationships amongst friends, status show off may lead to stress at times.

Financial

Youngsters may have aspirational financial stress. This may be of becoming financially independent.

Importance of Stress Management

Being well versed with stress coping mechanisms helps people lead a healthy and happier life. Adequately managed stress prevents medical and physical illnesses. Stress management is vital because it leads to the following benefits:

• Improves mood
• Boosts immune system
• Promotes longevity
• Leads to a burst of physical strength, which is vital for reaching the goal
• Complete mental and physical engagement for task accomplishment
• Increases efficiency and effectiveness
• Prevents psychological disorders and behavioral problems

Stress Management Techniques

Stress is a mental state where one size doesn’t fit all, what stresses one person may not stress others at all. It is a highly individualistic phenomenon and the solution has to be customized to the individual’s mental state. Physical signs which may suggest stress are breathlessness, dry mouth, butterflies in the stomach, indigestion, nausea, acidity, fatigue, sweaty palms, cold hands and feet, irritation hyperactivity, etc. At the mental level following symptoms may reflect stress: irritation, impatience, loneliness, upset mood, anxiety, depression, frustration, boredom, guilt, insecurity, and forgetfulness.

Self-awareness of symptoms of stress will help individuals manage it better. They should try understanding the cause, understanding self, and taking remedial measures. Avoiding the issues of procrastination is not the solution. Speaking out to the well-wishers like family and friends helps in stress management as they provide a social support system. Apart from positive thinking, managing one’s time across any or a combination of the following activities aid in stress management.

Physical Exercise

When stress affects the brain, the rest of the body also feels the impact. Physical exercise in the form of walking, skipping, or for that matter indulging in any sports has been found to relieve stress as they stabilize mood, improve self-esteem, and induce sleep.

Yoga

Yoga is a school of Hindu philosophy that reduces stress. Yoga includes a series of postures and breathing exercises practiced to achieve control of body and mind.

Meditation

It is a practice where an individual is supposed to focus his/her mind on a particular object, thought or activity to achieve a calm mental state reducing stress.

Enjoying

Recreational activities like watching movies, attending concerts, playing games, involving in adventure sports, singing, dancing, or even sketching can help individuals transcend to a happier mental state and help manage stress.

Going On Vacations with Family and Friends

Vacations provide an opportunity of taking a holiday from our routine and appreciate different facets of life. Vacations can be taken up to friends and relatives’ places as well as to far-flung attractive locations. Vacationing helps in de-stressing individuals.

Taking Nature Walks

Taking nature walks in a pristine environment of a national park or a sanctuary or a trail in the countryside/village brings us calmness by allowing our overstimulated minds a chance to relax and helps us to relax.

Ability to Work Independently

Everyone who has been sent on this earth has been blessed in their own way. They together make this earth a beautiful place. Some can sing well, others are good at sports, some are intellectuals and some are good comedians. Everyone is special. But it is important that

everyone learns the art of working independently. This typically means that one must learn to take ownership of the task assigned and leave no stone unturned in accomplishing the task. The individual who has the ability to work independently need not be supervised for task completion.

Importance of The Ability to Work Independently

Following the benefits of working independently advocate its importance.

• Ensures greater learning.
• Individuals feel more empowered and responsible.
• It provides flexibility to choose and define working hours and working mechanisms.
• Failure and success of the task assigned are accounted for by individuals.
• Individuals become assets to organizations, groups, and nations at large.
• It ensures creativity and satisfaction among individuals.

Enhancing Ability to Work Independently

The ability to work independently can be enhanced by being self-aware, self-motivated, and self-regulated. Let’s now learn what are these:

Self-Awareness

Having conscious knowledge of your own self, capabilities, feelings, and one’s own character is called self-awareness. It helps individuals to chart their ways for working independently. They become aware of their strengths and weak points and work accordingly. They try to focus on strengths to become successful in various areas of life.

Self-Motivation

Self-motivated individuals have an inner urge to do something, achieve their goals without any external pressure/lure for award or appreciation. It is a life skill and must be necessarily developed.

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation guides independent individuals as it helps them consider long term consequences rather than just transient feelings. It leads to responsible and value-driven behavior. It teaches self-control and well-directed efforts to reach the goal. Self–regulation inculcates discipline that helps inconsistent efforts to move towards the goal.