STRESS -- YAAH!!!

STRESS has become synonymous with living these days. From the time you are born to the time you take your last breath, stress will not leave your side. It becomes your staunch companion from the moment you begin to make sense of your environment.

STRESS is present in lesser or larger degrees in each human mind, but feeds particularly on the following factors:

• INSECURITY
• OVER-EXPECTATION
• PERFORMANCE PRESSURE
• ANXIETY 
• FEAR OF FAILURE
• INABILITY TO ACCEPT FAILURE

STRESS is a great equalizer. It doesn't distinguish between rich or poor, haves or have-nots (though it tilts more towards the haves), successful or not, clever or stupid (again the tilt towards the clever), businessman or athlete, politician or academician.

Neither does STRESS differentiate on the basis of age. A child of seven, appearing for periodic class tests, probably faces the same levels of stress that a corporate honcho faces during making crucial decisions. Fear of failure and performance anxiety do not spare anyone. And don't think it is related only to academic or professional areas. Homemakers, artists, musicians, voluntary workers, medicos, the man on the streets, the disc jockey, the hotelier....STRESS spares no one.

So how does one deal with it or keep it manageable?

Some useful things to keep in mind:

• Take life as it comes, embracing the good with the bad. Not every situation will turn out in your favour, so learn to accept unfavourable outcomes
• Keep expectations realistic. Sometimes we hope for and expect too much, ignoring the rational side of our brain, or paying no heed to hard facts
• Limit your ambition. While aiming high is good occasionally, aiming for the stars every time you try is self defeating
• Don't go overboard celebrating success or moaning about failure. Both are two sides of the same coin
• Don't spread the disease. STRESS feeds on itself, so don't let it grow, and don't infect others with it 
• Believe in destiny and GOD. Having a philosophical outlook helps you steer through difficult situations in life. Always remember that good and bad times alternate with each other, hope follows despair, darkness precedes light.

Give a good punch in the face to STRESS by meditating, positive thinking, and laughter. This TRIO can knock out stress and keep it in check.

ALL THE BEST!!