DID you know a little stress can be good?

Good stress, also known as eustress, motivates you, improves performance and is generally short term. Stress becomes bad when our expectations exceed our abilities. This is known as distress. It may be short or long term and makes you anxious as well as can lead to mental and physical problems.

The effect of an event differs from person to person; as such the list of possible negative stressors is endless. However, among them are unrealistic expectations, procrastination or failing to plan, overscheduling, becoming injured or ill, excessive job demands, and the fear of losing one’s job.

Since stress is a part of everyday life, our aim should not be to eliminate it, but to prevent stress from becoming distress.

We must first identify the causes of our distress, while recalling the first verse of the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.

Then apply the four “A’s”!

AVOID people and situations that stress you out. If you try talking about it and the situation remains unchanged, limit the time you spend with this person or end the relationship entirely.

ADAPT: Put the stressful situation into perspective; is it worth getting upset over? Will it still matter in a year? If both answers are “no”, redirect your energy to something more productive.

ADJUST: Figure out what you can do to change things so the problem doesn’t present itself in the future. This may involve safely expressing your feelings instead of bottling it up and being willing to compromise. If you ask someone to change their behaviour, be willing to do the same. Also, when you overextend it is hard to remain calm, it is best to drop unnecessary activities from an already

busy schedule.

ACCEPT the situation. If you are having difficulties adjusting, accept that there are things beyond your control. Learn to relax, make time for fun — this is non-negotiable. Take a walk, call a good friend, watch a comedy, or listen to music, but do not resort to risky behaviour such as smoking, alcohol or binge eating.

Chenee Davis has degrees in biotechnology and zoology, and occupational and environmental safety and health.