# How to manage stress

Imagine waking up and glancing at your clock, which reads 8.55 AM. This information means nothing, until you apply your perception to it. If it is a week-day, you are due at work at 9 AM, 8.55 becomes a negative stressor. If its Sunday, your perception of 8.55 may result in a feeling of luxurious anticipation of a lazy day.

The information in both cases was the same. Your perception of it determined your response.

Twp techniques for taking charge of your reactions to stressor :

1.Recognize yourself:

Take control of the way you spend your time; learn to avoid using Rs 100 worth of energy on a Rs 10 problem.

2.Change your mind:

You can manage stress by taking control of your attitude too. The "art of laughter", is the ability to accept and appreciate the incongruities of life. "If you can laugh at yourself, it sets you apart from your problem." Then you can tackle it from a new prospective.

Through practice, you can break your stress habits by reacting differently to the pressures of daily living.

IDENTIFY YOUR STRESSOR, FIND OUT HOW THEY ARE STRESSING YOU.

Source: Know your body, A Reader's digest guide, second edition, How to manage stress by J. Bolch (p.196-200)

PROPHYLAXIS TEAM