Question

INTERPRETING THE REAL LIFE STORY: Ben’s Experience

My whole life I have definitely been a type A person. I have always been goal-oriented and very driven to succeed. I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing, but it can definitely lead to stress. In college I had a very demanding engineering major. I also worked part time. Between homework and work I was extremely busy, so I would be very upset if anything got in the way of what I needed to do. Traffic jams would make me so stressed that I could actually feel my blood pressure rising. If a friend called me up to chat, I would try to get rid of him quickly. I would feel very annoyed and impatient if he seemed to want to stay on the line. Even when I finally managed to do something that was supposed to be “relaxing,” like going for a bike ride, I would find myself becoming really competitive and trying to pass all the other bikers. In the end I would work out so hard that I was exhausted and not relaxed. It was only when I took a health class and did a stress survey that I realized how stressful my lifestyle was. I also learned that much of the stress was caused by my own attitude. So I made some changes in my thought process. My new philosophy was to focus more on trying to enjoy the moment, rather than always pushing ahead toward some distant goal. Now I try to make a little time for myself each day, and I try to appreciate little things like talking with friends, going for a walk, or just sitting under a tree. I am still working on a hard major and I am very busy, but I have managed to be a little more low-key about it all. My attitude now has helped me to be happier and less stressed.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. If someone you knew was stressed all the time like Ben indicated at the beginning of his story, what are some stress reduction techniques that you could recommend?

2. Are you a “Type A” or “Type B” person? What are the greatest sources of stress in your life right now?

3. What stress-management techniques help you to feel less stressed?

Answer 1

(1). I recommend the following stress reduction techniques to the person who was stressed all the time,

a)  Suggest the person to go for a bike ride & become comptetive to pass or overtake all others bikers on   the way.

b) Suggest the person to develop a change in his/her attitude like thought process & life style.

c) Suggest the person to focus in enjoying or living the present moment only rather than worrying about future goals.

d) Suggest the person to make time for himself/herself everyday like talking with friends, going for a walk & sitting under a tree.

(2). I am a type-B person & enjoying the life with full enthusiasm. I take keen interest in hanging out to the new places. I love watching movies & tasty foods.

Greatest Source of Stress in my right now are:

• Overwhelming
• Too much Sleeping
• Concentration.
• Quick decisions
• Easily Trust on everyone.

(3) Following are the some stress management techniques that helped me to feel relaxed.

• Positive attitude.
• Accept the challanges.
• Assertiveness
• No Agressiveness
• Daily Meditation
• Regular Physical Work out
• Healthy & Balanced foods
• Time Management with proper daily routine