You have completed ‘Getting Started,’ perhaps even gone through it a few times, and now want to do some more work. Hopefully, that means you now have a handle on your immediate stresses and want to learn how to keep in control of that handle. Perhaps too, you have picked up on the idea that being stressed is complicated and you have a horrible suspicion there are no quick fix answers. Sorry, but that is largely true.
Let me remind you of the title of this website – ‘Stress SelfCare.’ The idea is that the best way of coping with stress is to take personal control. Examine your stresses and work out ways of managing. This will mean learning new techniques and ways of approaching life – but throughout there is the theme of self-care. You are in control. This is a journey that will take time. Be patient – with yourself above all else.
Note too the strap line, ‘Controlling the Pressures and Cares of Life.’ Many stresses relate to the ordinary aspects of life – relationships, work, aging (oops! I mean maturing). That means that there is an element of normality and an expectation of competence so the sense of being out of control can be disturbing. Hopefully, this programme will help you recover your control and reaffirm your confidence.
So let us move forward!
The Moving Forward module presumes you are now over a crisis due to overwhelming stress. You can now step back and examine your life situation, see where your stress comes from, then learn how to anticipate and deal with it before it becomes too prominent and compromises every aspect of your life.
Some of these pages may not seem to be directly dealing with stress at first until you have examined them. Other pages require you to learn new styles of living and new ways of behaving.
The Moving Forward module has 3 sections:
- Take Control
The task of taking control of your stress is stressful. These pages will help to equip you for the task. You might even find a hint of pleasure in the task!
- Limit the Load
- Enjoying Stress
- Easing the Feeling
- An Oasis of Calm.
- How stressed are you?
- The Causes of Stress
If you know what has caused your stress you can begin to develop ways of preventing stress or doing something about it before it gets out of hand. These pages will enhance your understanding of yourself and how and why stress affects you. And that will provide pointers to help you decide which management techniques to use.
- How Stress Develops
- Burnout
- Categorize Stress
- The Layering of Stress
- Disappointment
- Resentment
- Guilt
- The Management of Stress
Some techniques are helpful whatever the stress while others are only useful with specific problems. Some techniques need to be learned before you can make full use of them.
- Managing Change
- Forgiveness
- Changing Habits
- Time Management
- Strategies that Do Not work
Although it will probably make most sense to work through this module in order, do have a look ahead if you need urgent help about a particular issue as there may be a page or two that addresses your need.
Before moving on though think for a moment about what you covered in the Getting Started module. Are you really ready to move on?
In Moving Forward you will need to stand back somewhat from your stresses, develop skills and learn techniques you can use before returning to apply them to the stresses that are affecting you.
Some pages will be about techniques that you will need to practice and train yourself in using them before you will be able to benefit from them. This will take time so if you have stresses that need urgent attention you may need to skip over those pages for the time being.
You may though, have some unfinished business with the issues raised in ‘Getting Started’ so before moving on you need to get a deeper understanding of the stresses you have already identified. Get some sense of closure by resolving active stresses or putting them on hold. To benefit most from the Moving Forward module you need to be free from active stresses so you can stand back and give yourself time to reflect and develop new resources.
Ready?