Managing Stress – Part I
There are three main ways to respond to stress. The first of which is the least productive and can lead to sustained stress that may manifest into poor health or a depression like state. This first way is called “Passive coping”. This term refers to not doing anything that will assist in dealing.
The second method of dealing with stress is called “Primary coping”. This tends to be a relatively immature way of dealing with stressful issues, but due to the immediate satisfaction and short term resolution, it is used often. This is actually good, but without coupling this tactic with the third and most effective method can be harmful and often times allows issues to manifest into bigger issues. As well this method can potentially create new stresses.
Thus the most effective way to manage stress is called “Secondary coping”. The name is derived from the fact that this method is used after or in conjunction with one of the first two.
So basically if you feel helpless against your source of stress, you may tend to try to ignore it. If it becomes a serious problem, you will naturally seek happiness and refuse in a Primary coping attempt, such as going out to party, drinking, drugs or other self indulgences. This is why people who don’t have answers to their shortcomings or the emotional fortitude to weather the storms of their lives are at a higher risk of being addicted or developing co-dependent personalities. They tend to allow their lives to spiral farther into chaos by inadequately addressing life’s challenges. A tell-tell sign of this is if you are constantly battling the same issues year in and year out. In this there is little growth.
But when you use cognitive solutions and a thought process that leads to a plan that you work to rid yourself of the stressful situation, “now you cookin!” You are taking control of your life with the feeling that you are empowered to defeat all the demons that lurk in your life. In Part II I’ll delve into how we put these things into play.
