STRESS
How do you handle stressful situations?
Do you take stressful situations in stride
or do you let them gnaw at you, churning up anger and frustration?
Stress and tension are common and may arise from various –sometimes
unexpected sources, for example, the car that won’t
start, the dinner that burns, or the boss who is an a bad
mood. Although, these situations are unpleasant, we can usually
cope with them without much disruption in our lives.
Anxiety and depression
All of us have developed coping skills in
facing life’s difficulties, but sometimes these coping
skills fail us. Problems that remain unresolved prolong periods
of anxiety or depression. In time, such periods can disrupt
our lives and impair our effectiveness at home and at work.
They may also result in stress related medical problems such
as headaches, ulcers or hypertension.
Financial problems
Sometimes, no matter how carefully we’ve
planned; our finances just don’t seem to balance. Unexpected
bills from the dentist, auto mechanic, vet or plumber can
throw a well-planned budget out of kilter. Before we know
it, we have more bills than the paycheck can cover. Financial
problems, like any unresolved problem, create tension and
affect our lives at home and at work.
Legal problems
If someone is injured on our property or if
someone in the family is arrested, we may be faced with legal
problems and we may not know where to go for assistance. This
too creates tension.
When is a problem serious enough to
require outside help?
It’s always better to work on problems
before they get too big. Unless you deal effectively with
stress, it will grow worse and worse and finally result in
serious consequences. If you have a personal problem that
affects several areas of your life, it is probably time to
get outside help.
How do I know if I need professional
help?
A local crisis line, mental health clinic,
community resource center or an assistance program can help
you decide what’s best for you and your family. One
of their professional counselors can help you isolate the
source of your stress, get some understanding and perspective
on your problems and work through specific issues.
Remember
your Employee Assistance Program is:
• Confidential: All information is kept strictly
between you and your counselor
• Informal: A simple phone call starts the
process and there’s no red tape.
For
assistance call Hidalgo Health Associates at:
800-448-4470
Used with permission © 1987, 1996 by Hazelden Foundation,
Revised 1996. All rights reserved. For more information about
the Hazelden Foundation please visit: http://www.hazelden.org
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