Families and ...
Respect
Families
and Stress—
Additional Resources
We all have stress. It is with us throughout our lives. Stress is inevitable and universal. Sometimes when we hear the word stress, we think of the negative impact it can have. But not all stress is bad. And even "bad" stress can motivate us to get things done or create change. The real question is: How do we make stress work for us? We can channel our stress to make us grow as individuals and as families. Here are some ideas for turning stress into an advantage.
See an opportunity in crisis: As a parent, encourage your children even in the hardest of times to see positives in any situation.
Create a stress-free environment: Identify a place in your home where family members know they can go to think and not be disturbed.
Forget and forgive the past: Teach children that mistakes truly are in the past and should not be used to fuel current situations.
Offer support: Be there for your family. Let them know that you love them and think of them throughout your day. Make the people that matter feel special.
The "recipe" for de-stressing is, of course, not complete. The full recipe involves combining awareness of your physical health, eating habits, rest, exercise, workplace, home environments, and your relationships. Develop your own "stress recipe." You'll find your family and you to be happier and healthier!
Reading, Watching and Listening List
Consult your local library to find these resources:
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Bensen, H. The Relaxation Response.
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Gould, R. Transformations.
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Hart, Archibald D. Stress and Your Child.
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Lakein, A. How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life.
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Miller, Joan. Stress Reduction (video).
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Rogers, C., and Stevens, B. Person to Person.
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Dunnett, W., and Williams, J. "Strength through Stress: Stress can be turned around to work for you." Runner World, pp.55-57; 1980
Family Works in Action
Here are some symptoms that families under stress may notice:
- Little time to spend together
- Never time to relax
- Explosive arguments
- Meals eaten in a hurry
Here are some strategies to deal with the stress-related symptoms:
- Give yourself credit for tasks completed, even for a small piece of a project
- Learn to say no to things that are not really important to you
- Learn to say yes to things directly involving your child
- Try not to spread yourself too thin
- Decide which projects are of greatest importance to your family
Remember
Stress is not an easy topic for everyone. Stress can cause a person to become angry or sad. There are many types of stress that can affect a family. Stress is common for all family members. Letting go of their daily stressors is the first step to dealing with stress.
Some parents are unsure how to teach their children to deal with stress. Begin with allowing your children to solve their own simple problems. This will give your children the skills to handle stress.
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