The Victoria Napolitano Bookstore The Classic Male - Ryder Gordon | Page 6

Not all stress is bad. In fact, stress can

baum, a professor at the University of

help guard us in dangerous situation, i.e.,

Waterloo, “Stress inoculation training is

fight or flight response. In this case, stress

based on the notion that exposing cli-

creates additional alertness and energy

ents to milder forms of stress can bolster

in a way of protecting us. But for this dis-

both coping mechanisms and the indi-

cussion, we are talking about the stress

vidual’s confidence in using his or her

that is adverse to our well-being—the

coping repertoire.” Military, law enforce-

stress that takes its toll on us emotionally

ment, firefighters, and elite athletes have

and physically and that causes the phys-

known this for years. We work better un-

iological responses as described above.

der stress and pressure; creating dead-

Even worse, there is the acute stress that

lines and goals are a way of subjecting

can shorten our life span. The statistic

ourselves to controlled and manageable

above that says 94% of adults believe

stress levels. When we accomplish those

that stress can contribute to the devel-

tasks and goals under pressure, it creates

opment of major illnesses or disease is

an increased belief in our own ability to

absolutely accurate. Science has proven

accomplish tasks and reach goals. That,

that over many studies.

in turn, becomes self-fulfilling. Working
under pressure is vital to learning how to

How do we effectively manage stress?

better manage stress. Fighters become

Here are five effective ways:

better fighters when they spar in a ring
with another competitor under fight-like

Diet and Exercise. Take care of yourself.

conditions.

Stress hormones have been linked to
overeating and the storage of excess

Positive Internal Dialogue. Change your

body fat, leading to obesity. Exercise

internal chatter. Psychologists tell us

not only creates a healthy lifestyle, but it

that we talk to ourselves all the time,

also combats stress on a hormonal level.

non-stop—300 to 1,000 words per min-

Good hormones released through exer-

ute. Furthermore, 70% of that internal

cise can help combat the negative effect

chatter tends to be negative. That means

of stressor hormones. Healthy eating

we have a constant running dialog with

also reduces the onset of diseases such

ourselves with a negative message. If we

as type II diabetes and cardiovascular

are constantly telling ourselves that we

disease, as well as regulating hormones

are stressed out and are overwhelmed,

throughout the day. Stabilizing hor-

we certainly will be. Stop telling yourself

mones can have an overall effect on your

how hard life is and how rough you have

mood and ability to cope with the physi-

it—you will only believe what you say.

ological responses to stress.

Change that internal dialogue to positive
messages. Fight against the negativity

Stress Inoculation. Subject yourself to

in your head to become a more positive

stress. According to Donald Meichen-

person.

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