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St. Cloud State University
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Stress management helps during holidays
By Diana Matusewic
Published:
Monday, December 9, 2002
Coping with stress during the holiday season can be a difficult task, especially for those who have lost a loved one or when one has to live up to expectations of family members or the media.
In addition to such stresses, there are trips to plan, parties to go to, the search for "perfect" gifts for everyone on the list and final exams for most students.
Friday the health and wellness committee held an hour-long presentation of how people could deal or manage their stress during the holiday season.
"(The presentation was held to) give people ideas on how they can lower their stress during this time of year: (the) holiday season," said Donna Croatt, senior and personnel officer of the Administrative building. She's also the health and wellness coordinator.
"Stress plays a big part in a person's health and well-being," she said.
The speaker was Jayne Lokken, a counselor at the counseling center who has a background in dealing with stress. She's also a member of the health and wellness committee.
"For different people for different reasons, it can be stressful," Lokken said.
Lokken began by handing out a list of tips for stress management. It included paying attention to both body and emotions, learning about limits, taking one thing at a time, setting reasonable priorities, talking out worries, being satisfied with onself, avoiding self-medication, getting enough sleep, food and exercise, recognizing accomplishments and other tips.
Lokken says there are many ways to relieve and decrease stress. This includes having an outlet, look at what you can control in a situation, always have a positive mindset and have strong social support.
Lokken helped lower each person's stress by having everyone write down his or her self-expectations. She then read each one and gave reassuring feedback that made each situation look less stressful. She also asked everyone in the room to think of a moment in their life when they felt truly loved.
After giving tips, the next question is: where does one start?
"One of the best places to start is looking at your core values. It is important to know what your top values are for yourself and then to prioritize them," Lokken said. "Sometimes you are going to have to make choices you don't like."
She reminded everyone that they must accept limits to what they can do For instance, weighing costs and benefits is one way to think of ones priorities.
Another way to think of your priorities is to ask questions.
"If I died tomorrow, would I be happy with the way I spent my life?" Lokken asked.
Putting life into perspective is also an important tool for stress management.
"People who experience failure have more self-confidence," Lokken said. "If you never experience pain or bad times then you will never know what it means to feel good."
With helpful advice and ways to think things through, this time of year may not be as stressful as people have previously experienced.
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