By Andrew H. Jones

Dispelling common myths about stress enables us to understand our problems and take action against them. Let’s take a look at some common myths about stress.

MYTH 1

Stress is the same for everybody

Completely wrong. Stress is different for each of us. What is stressful for one person may or may not be stressful for another; each of us responds to stress in an entirely different way.

MYTH 2

Stress is always bad for you

According to this view, zero stress makes us happy and healthy. Wrong… Stress is to the human condition what tension is to the violin string: too little and the music is dull and raspy; too much and the music is shrill or the string snaps. Stress can be the kiss of death or the spice of life. The issue, really, is how to manage it. Managed stress makes us productive and happy; mismanaged stress hurts and can even be life threatening.

MYTH 3

Stress is everywhere, so you can’t do anything about it

Not so. You can plan your life so that stress does not overwhelm you. Effective planning involves setting priorities and working on simple problems first, solving them, and then going on to difficulties that are more complex. When stress is mismanaged, it is difficult to prioritize. All your problems seem to be equal and stress seems to be everywhere.

MYTH 4

The most popular techniques for reducing stress are the best ones

Again, not so. No universally effective stress reduction techniques exist. We are all different, our lives are different, our situations are different, and our reactions are different. Only a comprehensive program tailored to the individual works.

MYTH 5

No symptoms, no stress

Absence of symptoms does not mean the absence of stress. In fact, camouflaging symptoms with medication may deprive you of the signals you need for reducing the strain on your physiological and psychological systems.

MYTH 6

Only major symptoms of stress require action

This myth assumes that the “minor” symptoms, such as headaches or stomach acid, can be safely ignored. Minor symptoms of stress are the early warning signs that your life is getting out of hand and that you need to act on it soon and do a better job of managing your stress.

Did you know Sun Life Family Health Center offers Integrated Behavioral Health services?

The Integrated Behavioral Health program at Sun Life Family Health Center offers assistance when habits, behaviors, stress, worry or other life problems are interfering with a person’s daily life. Behavioral Health Consultants (BHCs) can help patients reduce symptoms associated with various chronic medical conditions or help cope with them. These conditions include, but are not limited to:

 • Migraine/tension headaches

• Fibromyalgia

• Diabetes

• Asthma

• COPD

• Hypertension

• Cardiovascular disease

To schedule an appointment or if you are interested in learning more about the services offered at Sun Life Family Health Center, please call (520) 836-3446, or visit our website at www.sunlifefamily.com

 

TIP OF THE MONTH

If things are bothering you…

Talking about them can help lower your stress. You can talk to family members, friends, your doctor, or a therapist. You can also talk to yourself. It is called selftalk and we all do it. However, in order for self-talk to help reduce stress you need to make sure it is positive and not negative. #OneSmallChange