Stress Relief Corner
Five steps to combat stress
Crrrrrrring! Someone is ringing the door bell impatiently. Hurriedly Tania's mom opened the door. It was Tania. Tania's mom could assume that something was wrong with her daughter. She looked quite upset and tormented. "What happened, Tania?" asked her mother. No reply. Again she asked with a soft voice. Tania shouted to her mom, "Oh, just leave me alone!" and slammed her room's door. Well, this is quite common among the teenagers. Stress! Almost everyone feels it, expresses it in their own ways. Sometimes we scream, sometimes we yell or bang something, or even hit someone. But does it solve much? Is there something that can really work out the problem? D'Arcy Lyness, an American psychologist, suggests trying the five following ways to feel better when you are stressed. 1. Get support: When you need help, look for someone who really cares about you. Talk to a senior whom you trust, such as a parent, other relative, or a coach. And do not forget about your friends! They might be worried about the same test or have had similar problems, such as dealing with a divorce or the death of a beloved pet. 2. Don't freak out! It is easy to let your feelings go wild when you're upset. Notice your feelings. Name them - for example, "I am so angry!" And find a way to express them. Do breathing exercises, listen to music, write in a journal, play with a pet, go for a walk or a bike ride, or do whatever helps you shift to a better mood. 3. Don't take it out on yourself: Sometimes when kids are stressed and upset they take it out on themselves. But that is not a good idea. Remember that there are always people to help you. Don't take it out on yourself. Be kind to yourself and ask for the helping hand or pat on the back that you need - and deserve - to get you through the tough situation you are facing. 4. Try to solve the problem: Well, now you are calm and you have support from adults and friends. It is time to get busy with your problem. You need to figure out what the problem is. Even if you cannot solve all of it, maybe you can begin by solving a part of it. 5. Be positive - most stress is temporary: You may not believe it when you are in the middle a stressful situation; but believe it - stress does go away, often when you figure out the problem and start working on solving it. Remember, these five steps are not magic - and you might have to do some steps more than once, but they do work. And if you can stay positive as you make your way through a tough time, you will help yourself feel better even faster. Doesn't it feel really good when stress is gone? The writer is a Postgraduate Student (M Phil, Part I) in the Department of Biochemistry at BSMMU. E-mail: m36rakib@yahoo.com
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