Have you ever had a crisis in your life or had any stress?
Who are we kidding?...who hasn't!?!
Let's first define what a "crisis" is and what is "stress".
CRISIS~
Who are we kidding?...who hasn't!?!
Let's first define what a "crisis" is and what is "stress".
CRISIS~
a. A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.
b. An unstable condition, as in political, social, or economic affairs, involving an impending abrupt or decisive change.
2. A sudden change in the course of a disease or fever, toward either improvement or deterioration.
3. An emotionally stressful event or traumatic change in a person's life.
4. A point in a story or drama when a conflict reaches its highest tension and must be resolved.
Denotes a critical point or state of affairs: a military crisis; government policy at the crossroad; had predicted the health-care exigency; a problem that is coming to a head; negotiations that had reached a crucial juncture; things rapidly coming to a desperate pass.
Denotes a critical point or state of affairs: a military crisis; government policy at the crossroad; had predicted the health-care exigency; a problem that is coming to a head; negotiations that had reached a crucial juncture; things rapidly coming to a desperate pass.
Stress is a person's response to a stressor such as an environmental condition or a stimulus. Stress is a body's method of reacting to a challenge. According to the stressful event, the body's way to respond to stress is by sympathetic nervous system activation which results in the fight-or-flight response. Stress typically describes a negative condition or a positive condition that can have an impact on a person's mental and physical well-being.
In our class this week, we were to write down 10 significant "stressor events" that we had witnessed in our own families or in others. We were to write out what made these events stressful or critical.
This was harder than I thought it would be. As I began to write about 1 incident, it many times turned into 2 or 3 incidents that happened in succession or simultaneously. Remember that old adage that bad things happen in 3's? Hmmm... Sometimes I wonder where the 3 begin and where it ends!
Anyway, as I was writing down these critical and stressful times in my life, I would be overcome with emotion. It was, for some, the first time I had written or thought about these events. It took me a long time to complete all 10 as I needed to stop and wring a few tissues. I also noticed that I kept going in the kitchen, during these pauses. I would rummage in the cupboard or freezer looking and getting something sweet to eat. After the 3rd or 4th time...DING!!...it hit me. I was coping with the "stress" of just remembering and writing, by eating. I was comforting myself with food! Have any of you done that before? Have you even noticed how you comfort yourself in times of crisis or stress?
I realize that you can't control all of the things that happen in life, but you can control the way you respond to them. It is important to confront/face the crisis and begin by taking responsibility for yourself. Don't deny it, avoid it, blame others, or play the victim. Move beyond the hurt and pain and begin to heal by addressing the situation and getting help (family, friends, professional), if need be. There are many resources to help us cope in a time of need/crisis, such as:
~family members
~religious beliefs
~friends
~therapist
~books/websites
~self-help/support groups
~other community, medical, and mental health agencies and programs
Next time you find yourself in a crisis or stressful situation, try to remember...THIS TOO SHALL PASS!
In our class this week, we were to write down 10 significant "stressor events" that we had witnessed in our own families or in others. We were to write out what made these events stressful or critical.
This was harder than I thought it would be. As I began to write about 1 incident, it many times turned into 2 or 3 incidents that happened in succession or simultaneously. Remember that old adage that bad things happen in 3's? Hmmm... Sometimes I wonder where the 3 begin and where it ends!
Anyway, as I was writing down these critical and stressful times in my life, I would be overcome with emotion. It was, for some, the first time I had written or thought about these events. It took me a long time to complete all 10 as I needed to stop and wring a few tissues. I also noticed that I kept going in the kitchen, during these pauses. I would rummage in the cupboard or freezer looking and getting something sweet to eat. After the 3rd or 4th time...DING!!...it hit me. I was coping with the "stress" of just remembering and writing, by eating. I was comforting myself with food! Have any of you done that before? Have you even noticed how you comfort yourself in times of crisis or stress?
I realize that you can't control all of the things that happen in life, but you can control the way you respond to them. It is important to confront/face the crisis and begin by taking responsibility for yourself. Don't deny it, avoid it, blame others, or play the victim. Move beyond the hurt and pain and begin to heal by addressing the situation and getting help (family, friends, professional), if need be. There are many resources to help us cope in a time of need/crisis, such as:
~family members
~religious beliefs
~friends
~therapist
~books/websites
~self-help/support groups
~other community, medical, and mental health agencies and programs
Next time you find yourself in a crisis or stressful situation, try to remember...THIS TOO SHALL PASS!
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