An attitude of I can't is limiting and defeats possibilities.
An attitude of I can is empowering and expands opportunities.
Do you have an attitude of blame? If you blame someone else for a situation for a problem, then you not have to take personal responsibility for your own feelings or for what has happened.
Similary, if you blame yourself for something, when in fact you are not responsible in part or in whole for the event, then you may be burdened with unreasonable guilt.
When you believe that someone else is responsible for your problems and feelings, it contributes to stress by closing down opportunities for relieving or eliminating the stressors. This type of thinking often leads to criticism of the other person. The same is true if you blame yourself for problems that are beyond his or her own control.
Stress is part of life Many people and events contribute to an individual's stress. Change, threats, growth, relationship issues and even vacations, can lead to stress. However, those specific events or issues are not the actual cause of stress.
The body reacts to stress with a "fight or flight" response. The body responds by preparing to do something, either fight and eliminate the stressor or flee from the stressor. Stressors are situations that contribute to stress. Usually, it's not practical to fight or to leave a stressor. As a result, individuals internalize stress. . . and then they get sick.
Fight or Flight The "fight or flight" response is a bio-chemical response in the body. The stress response is characterized by increased adrenaline flow, elevated or increased blood pressure, and increased speed of breathing.
Many experts believe that as many as two-thirds of all visits to the physician are for stress-related disorders, disorders that could be decreased or prevented through stress management. Stress is believed to contribute to such diseases and disorders as:
1. Insomnia
2. Headaches
3. Heart disease
4. Colitis
5. Back pain
6. Ulcers
7. Diseases of the immune system
Taking control and responsibility for changing one's attitudes and beliefs about others and the self, can empower an individual to take more control over his or her personal health and those factors that can either contribute to or diminish health and well-being.
Shifting your attitude to a positive one from a negative one can help empower you to better manage stress. Thinking and believing that YOU CAN rather than believing you can't (because someone else has power over you) will greatly expand your opportunities for good health -- physically, emotionally, and maybe even financially.
Copyright 1996, Health ResponseAbility Systems, Inc.
