Change is the end result of all true learning. Change involves three things: First, a dissatisfaction with self-a felt void or need; second, a decision to change-to fill the void or need; and third, a conscious dedication to the process of growth and change-the willful act of making the change; Doing Something.

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It is the nature, and the advantage, of strong people that they can bring out the crucial questions and form a clear opinion about them. The weak always have to decide between alternatives that are not their own.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

 

Good plans shape good decisions. That's why good planning helps to make elusive dreams come true.

Lester R(obert) Bittel

Constant stress can increase your cholesterol, suppress your immune system and make your stomach ache. Why not avoid it altogether? Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

Today's news includes around-the-clock coverage of natural and man made disasters. Earthquakes and floods. War and terrorist attacks. Just 10 minutes of watching the network news can make your stress level soar.

Compounding matters, you've got a big presentation in an hour, and you've hardly had a chance to prepare. Urgent e-mails keep popping onto your display screen, each one sending a stab of anxiety through your chest. As minutes tick by, you search frantically for slides and handouts. Meanwhile, your heart races and your head pounds.

Modern life is full of pressures, fears and frustration. In other words, it's stressful. Racing against deadlines, sitting in traffic, arguing with your spouse — all these make your body react as if you were facing a physical threat. This reaction gave early humans the energy to fight aggressors or run from predators. It helped the species survive.

Today, instead of protecting you, [stress] may, if constantly activated, make you more vulnerable to life-threatening health problems. Fortunately, though, you can develop skills to avoid some stressors and limit the effects of others. The payoff includes less fatigue, more peace of mind and — perhaps — a longer, healthier life.”

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

How Can I Eliminate Stress from My Life?
We all thrive under a certain amount of stress. Positive stress adds anticipation and excitement to life. Deadlines, competitions, confrontations, and even our frustrations add meaning and exhilaration to our lives. Your goal is not to eliminate stress but to learn how to manage it and learn how to use it to your benefit.

Insufficient stress acts as a depressant and may leave us feeling bored or dejected; on the other hand, excessive stress may leave us feeling "tied up in knots." What you need to do is find the optimal level of stress which will motivate but not overwhelm you.

Most illness is related to unrelieved stress. If you are experiencing stress symptoms, you have gone beyond your optimal stress level; you need to reduce the stress in your life and/or improve your ability to manage it. We can help.