I admit it: I am under a lot of stress this month. I have more things to do than I am capable of doing. Graduation is fast approaching and two of my kids are high school seniors this year, and that alone is a major life change event. I also have about nine programs/events in the next two weeks. Can anyone relate?
April is National Stress Awareness Month, and just about everyone I have talked with has shared with me the multiple stressors in their lives. Let's face it, the majority of Americans are stressed in some way or another, including our kids. So how do we prevent stress from overwhelming us? What can we do to turn the challenges of everyday living into blessings?
Start by acknowledging the challenges you have already faced. How did working through those challenges help you grow or become a better person? If you did not handle a challenge so well, what could have made it better? Those challenges can help us see the big picture and honest evaluation can help us to gain perspective. They can help us draw closer to other people, develop greater compassion, learn to value the small things in life, and build a more satisfying philosophy of life.
The resources in our lives serve as tools for facing challenges and can affect how frustrating or stressed we become. Think about the supportive social network, personal skills, and interests you have. Next, think of a challenge you are currently facing and determine which of those resources will help you deal with that challenge. Epictetus once said, "Men are disturbed not by things, but the views which they take of them."
How we make sense of the challenges that come our way is affected by our perspective on the situation. Sometimes something that may be a massive pothole to one person is just a small speed bump to another. At another time that same speed bump can become a huge traffic jam that has us seemingly unable to move forward. It is like a farmer facing crop failure. Is it a disaster and time to sell the farm or time to diversify?
The amazing part about our brains is we can train them to look for the positive side of the situations we face. I can use the challenges I am facing now or have faced in the past to help someone else who is struggling. Challenges are part of our life stories and my life is full of challenges. So after sitting here writing this article, I am still stressed, but my calm has returned (at least for the moment) and perspective is back in place. So I will take a deep breath and move on to the next challenge.
If you would like more information on stress management for a class or for yourself, contact the Garland County Cooperative Extension Service at 501-623-6841 or email [email protected]. Like us on Facebook, @GarlandFCS or @garlandEGF.
4-H Club information
For information about Garland County 4-H Club membership or program benefits, contact Linda Bates at the Extension office located at 236 Woodbine, call 501-623-6841, or email [email protected]. Additional information is available at http://www.uaex.edu/garland.
Master Gardener information
If you have an interest in gardening, you may want to apply to become a Master Gardener. You may obtain an application by calling our office to have one emailed to you, or by picking one up at the Extension office, 236 Woodbine. You're welcome to attend the monthly Master Gardener meeting which is held on the third Thursday of each month, 12:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 132 Abbott Place. The meetings are open to the public and guests are always welcome. Call the Extension office at 623-6841 for more information.
EHC information
Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC, call 623-6841 or email Alison Crane at [email protected]. Follow Crane on Facebook @garlandEGF and @Garland FCS, and EHC on Facebook @GarlandCountyEHC.
Society on 04/22/2019