John Schinnerer, PhD

Nearly half of the people in the United States seem to be experiencing a significant increase in the amount of stress they're experiencing. That is the finding of APA's annual nationwide survey to examine stress levels, events causing stress, how people deal with stress, and the impact stress has.<br /><br /><strong>Some Highlights...</strong><br /><br />Money and work were the top two stressors, increasing significantly over last year. In 2006, 59% of individuals reported money and work as being a source of stress. In 2007, that figure jumped to 74%.<br /><br />Seventy-seven percent reported having physical symptoms due to stress, such as fatigue, headaches, change in appetite and change in sex drive. Seventy-three percent stated they had experienced psychological symptoms due to stress, including feeling nervous, lack of energy, feeling tearful, and irritability.<br /><br />Nearly half (48%) of Americans are losing sleep at night due to some form of stress.<br /><strong><br />What is Stress?</strong><br /><br />While stress can be difficult to manage, it is not impossible. Stress is largely based on perception - the perception that you don't have enough time, that you aren't good enough, that you aren't up to the challenge.<br /><br />The goal is to change your perception of the situation so that you experience less debilitating fear, so that you respond with fewer negative behaviors, so that you think more positive thoughts.<br /><br /><strong>How to Challenge Stress...</strong><br /><br />Think back to yesterday. Revisit all of the things that stressed you out or upset you. What went wrong? What conversations went badly for you? What emails did you receive that bothered you? Did you wait in any lines at the bank or store?<br /><br />Now let's try a different approach. Think back to yesterday. This time focus on everything that went well. Think about everything that happened for which you were grateful. Are you employed? Do you have a family? Do you have a home to which to return? Do you have loved ones who care about you? Are you able to move your own body without help?<br /><br />Doesn't that feel different? It's a simple yet powerful switch from focusing on the negative to focusing on the positive. You see, the human brain responds more forcefully to negative events than positive ones. This has developed over millions of years of evolution in order to keep us alive and safe. It works quite well. However, in this day and age, we tend to perceive life-and-death situations where there are none. For instance, getting stuck in traffic is not a life-or-death situation, but your body may respond to it as if it were. In order to get a handle on stress, become more aware of the way in which you perceive the world around you. Focus more of your thoughts on gratitude.<br /><br />Appreciate and be grateful for the positive people, situations, and things in your life. Every time you do, you engrain these pathways more forcefully in your brain and you reduce the true source of stress - fear. Every time you do this, both your body and mind will feel better.<br /><br />If you want to read more about managing stress, visit the articles section at www.GuideToSelf.com.