Vim & Vigor - Winter 2010 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 32)

EAT: Don’t ‘Stress Snack’ “We live in a fairly toxic food environment,” Dorlen says. “When in a high-stress position, we may not actually think and just grab something.” She compares it to an impulse disorder, such as smoking. “It’s just automatic.” Dorlen says the key to stop stress-eating is to become more aware. Intervene on your impulse. Stop for a second and ask yourself, “Am I really hungry? Or is something else going on?” Sometimes you can abate hunger by slowly drinking a glass of water before making a food decision. Sawyer seconds this idea. “I try to drink a ton of water. And here’s my tip: Cut up slices of lime and put them into your ice cube tray, then drop lime ice cubes in your water. It makes it so much better than plain water,” she told Good Housekeeping magazine. CHOOSE: Is the Stress Worth It? When to Ask for Help Nearly a quarter of Americans reported high levels of daily stress (a rating of 8, 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale), according to the 2009 stress survey by the American Psychological Association (APA). One of the major causes of stress named on this survey was work—68 percent of women and 69 percent of men surveyed named it a “significant source of stress.” Still, says Rosalind S. Dorlen, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist and public education coordinator with the APA, a stressful job is subjective. “People who are perfectionists may view their job as more stressful,” she says. The way to gauge if you’re overloaded with stress is to view how you’re handling the rest of your life. “If their health is good and their relationships are good and they’re happy in general, then it might not be too stressful [of a job] for them.” Some indicators, according to the APA, that it might be time to ask for help include: • Feeling as if you’re trapped or there’s nowhere to turn. • Worrying excessively or not being able to concentrate. • Noticing that stress is affecting your sleep, your eating habits, your job, your relationships or your everyday life. A sleep-deprived Sawyer landed in Haiti after a major earthquake struck in January. It was a scene that could just about crush anyone’s soul, but Sawyer explains what kept her going. “It is just a [burst] of energy from what people need to know about the sheer moment-by-moment courage of [the Haitian] people in the middle of this impossible devastation,” she told The Oprah Show. Some people thrive in high-stress positions because not all stress is bad, Dorlen explains. “Actually, stress can really optimize functioning. The goal is not to avoid all stress. First off, it’s not possible. Secondly, there might not be excitement, challenge.” But if you’re so anxious about work that you’re frightened or you have pain in your chest, then it’s time to rethink your routine. If a job change isn’t possible, you’ll need to manage stress where you are. Dorlen recommends literally getting away from your stressful moments daily. “Walk away from the situation. Walk around the block. Sit on a park bench. Dispel your stress.” Talking it out can help, too. “Sharing your stress with someone else is healthy. Find people in an allied ﬁeld where you can share your problems.” And counteract a stressful job by ﬁnding moments of happiness outside your workweek. When is Sawyer the happiest? “Saturday morning with my husband,” Sawyer told Capitol File. “The spontaneous call to friends who wander in—somebody’s cooked something, somebody brings a child.” QUIZ Stress can cause more than just an angry furrowed brow. It also can lead to health problems like high blood pressure or obesity. See how much you know about stress, so you can manage it, by going to the American Psychological Association website, apa.org, and searching “stress smarts quiz.” Test Your Stress Smarts 32 Vim & Vigor · W IN TER 2 010 http://www.apa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2010 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2010 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
Much More than a Gift Shop
A Gift of Light, a Gift of Love
May I Help You?
Smart Moves
Miss Information
Stroke Sense
Gut Feelings
The Scoop on Stress
The Faces of Skin Cancer
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
A Natural Dilemma
17 Reasons to Work in Healthcare
Helping You Be Your Best
Special: Chronic Wellness
Reflections of Success
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2010 - Parrish Medical Center