Stress and Well-Being

Stress and well-being

‘Life is too stressful, but I must neglect these stress. If I keep on paying more efforts, sooner or later, things will get back to the right track. Once, I strongly believed that pushing oneself harder and harder is the key to success. Although the body gave signals like headache, fatigue and neck aches, I still forced myself to work.

After taking the course ‘stress and well-being’, I found the above values are totally incorrect! The way I pushed myself so hard would only make things worse. What I need to do is to think outside the box, plan well and relax when appropriate, rather than overdriving the body and draining energy that surpass my capacity to cope.

I am most interested in stress prevention strategies, since I always get anxious and worried easily, for instances, examinations and tests cause sleep difficulties, challenges in working for part-time job cause irritability and muscle tension.

In chapter 8 of our textbook ‘Stress Management for Life’, guidelines to manage worry and method to relieve anxiety are suggested. These help a lot in removing my ‘worry habit’. Now I firmly remember in mind that worries are redundant if sufficient preparation and planning is done.

By comprehending the true meaning of ‘Hardiness’, I understand it is substantial to positively face stressors and challenges in life, so that eustress will occur in turns. A hardy individual is described in ‘Stress Management for Life’ (Olpin, M and Hesson, M` 2012, 3/E Cengage.) as one who:

1. Views potential stressful events as interesting and meaningful (commitment)

2. Sees change as normal and as an opportunity for growth (challenge)

3. Sees oneself as capable of having an influence on events (control)

To grow and explore more inner potential, I have to step out from comfort zone, and be confident in my ability.

Effective stress management would definitely improve our health from various dimensions. Further lessons about...