Leadership Resources

How do we become stressed out?

By letting too many things pile up, not knowing how to say no, and/or poor time management skills.

•  School workers
•  Work
•  Extra-curricular activities
•  Taking on added responsibilities
•  Relationships
•  Family

Forms of Stress

•  Eu-stress: this type keeps you moving forward and enjoying life.

•  Dis-stress: This type is overwhelming and destroys us from the inside out.

Steps To A Stress Management Plan

•  Realize that stress is a process that requires time, evaluation,and possibly re-working and revision. Don't expect instant results and don't blame yourself for setbacks.

•  Identify the major stressors in your life. Think about when and why you feel stressed.

•  Start small. Make one or tow deliberate positive choices each day.

•  Concentrate on only one or two main areas at a time. It isn't necessary to tackle the greatest or most difficult stressors first; it's more important that you choose a point of focus.

•  Set realistic and attainable goals. Eliminating stress entirely is not only impossible, but also unwise. Be specific by deciding what changes to make in the next three months, six months, and year.

Things You Can Do TODAY To Control Stressed

•  Let go

•  Breathe slowly and deeply ... stretch ... take a walk when your stress triggers go off.

•  Speak slowly

•  Create and USE a time management plan that works for you.

•  Take a break

•  Drink plenty of watter and eat small nutritious snacks/meals

•  Do a quick posture check

•  So something to reward yourself.

Ways To Rejuvenate Your Soul

Some time you realize that you are simply weary and need to take care of the inner spiritual “you.”

•  Enjoy a relaxing massage

•  Take a day off and do something you enjoying

•  Stretch or exercise

•  Meditate or pray

•  Start a cleansing diet

Important Stress Don'ts

•  Don't rationalize doing too much

•  Don't view situations as desperate dangerous, and urgent

•  Don't indulge in thoughts, words or actions that wallow in blame

•  Don't analyze situations too much

•  Don't gather too much information before making a decision

Avoid These Ten Stress Pitfalls

•  Skipping meals

•  People-pleasing

•  Poor organization skills

•  Road rage

•  “Self-Medication”

•  Blaming Others

•  Junk food

•  Martyrdom

•  The need to win arguments

•  Comparing yourself to others

“Never hurry, never worry, live with leisure, grace and care. For it's plain that constant rushing never gets you anywhere.”
* R. McCann

Adapted from Original Source: “Stress Management” - UT-Knoxville Leadership Guides