Some people are more susceptible than others to stress; for some, even ordinary daily decisions seem overwhelming.

Stress is the way our bodies and minds respond to something which upsets our normal equilibrium in life; an example of stress is the response we feel when we are startled or in jeopardy. During stressful events our adrenal glands release adrenaline, a hormone  which activates our body’s defense mechanisms causing our hearts to pound, blood pressure to rise, muscles to tense and the pupils of our eyes to dilate.

A main warning of increased stress is an increase in your pulse rate; however, a normal pulse rate doesn’t necessarily mean you are not stressed. Continuous aches and pains, palpitations, anxiety, chronic fatigue, crying, over or under-eating, frequent infections, and a decrease in your sexual desire are signs you may notice which indicate you may be under stress.

Some people are more susceptible than others to stress; for some even ordinary daily decisions seem over-whelming. There are also those, who seem to flourish under stress by becoming highly productive being driven by the force of pressure.

However stress and worry on the job can be detrimental! They cause physical and emotional problems that may damage both your health and your performance. Furthermore stress grows! Extreme worry is a chief building block in the vicious chain of tension: the physical vibrations of stress-tense muscles, headaches, insomnia and so forth-lead to disastrous stress building thoughts, which in turn exaggerate horrible physical feelings. Soon , just the thought of preparing an assignment or  meeting a deadline triggers all the symptoms of stress, along with an overwhelming wish to avoid tasks.

When you are under stress, what messages are you sending yourself? Are they alarming or reassuring? you can  decrease your stress by using self talk to reassure yourself. This is what “stress-busting”  is about – getting your thoughts back on a supportive track.

Fighting negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones takes practice, but the results are worth it . When you are stressed; first take a couple of deep breathes.

Then review the facts. What is your proof that this is a stressful situation? Ask yourself; What is the worst thing that could happen? Then ask what is the best thing that can happen?

Focus on the best thing that can happen. Always keep your thoughts focused on what you want and avoid thinking about what you don’t want . Improved mental discipline is sure to be a useful skill regardless of your current model of reality. Try it for a week or so and you will be surprised.

Remember what Marcus Aurelius said. ” If you’re stressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.