Statue of Hans Selye
In his book, Stress Without Distress, Dr. Hans Selye, the great endocrinologist and pioneer in the study of stress, offers these eight stress-reduction techniques:
1. Concentrate on the pleasant side of life.
2. Fight for only those things that are really worth the effort.
3. Don't try to be a perfectionist.
4. When you fail, reestablish your self-confidence by remembering past accomplishments.
5. Don't procrastinate. Get the unpleasant things out of the way.
6. Value the simple things of life.
7. Don't waste time trying to befriend those who don't want your love and friendship.
8. Earn your neighbor's love.
Here's what I'm adding to the above.
Get Exercise. Walking, riding a bicycle, deep breathing, and calisthenics are very beneficial in reducing tension if they are done regularly. Such activities revitalize and refresh you.
Learn to Laugh at Yourself. A wise man once said that one of the reasons he was a happy man was that he didn’t take himself too seriously. You can free yourself of stress and tension by developing the ability to laugh, silently, or aloud, in moments of stress.
Take Up a Sport or Hobby. All types of sports provide release from pressure. Also activities such as singing and dancing, working with the hands, talking, and writing can also be helpful.
And, Occasionally Just Indulge Yourself. At times a certain amount of self-pampering can be good for you. An occasional splurge on something unusual can make you feel better. In most cases, however, it's best to face the problem directly and resolve it.
Dr. Selye passed away twenty-nine years ago, but his words continue to ring true today. Follow Dr. Selye techniques, but don’t forget to exercise, laugh often, engage in a sport or hobby, and occasionally just indulge yourself. You deserve it.
Keep your anger under control, click on Personal Growth to read Anger Management - A Self-Help Strategy and other related articles
