by Jane Harper

Created on: April 17, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Everyone needs a certain amount of stress in their lives, or there would be little point in getting out of bed in the mornings.

However, too much stress can cause severe problems to some peoples lives. The way in which they deal with stress directly affects the stress its self.

When stress levels are high, the way in which someone approaches the matter can actually preform behavior that does nothing to help to resolve the issue.

Worrying, panic, negativity, denial, imagining the worse, are all the types of behaviors that are self defeating. None of these behaviors help to lessen or resolve the stress, they instead add to the problem. thus fueling the stress to increase its levels and add to the pressure.

There are some simple techniques that can be applied that will improve the situation. As they are so simple, you may consider that they could not possibly work, but believe it or not, they do work in most cases.

Taking a few deep breaths is under estimated. The extra oxygen and the efficient exchange of carbon dioxide reduces the stress related chemicals in the body that are released when we are feeling overly stressed. During any period of high stress, we tend to adopt a breathing pattern that is shallow, causing ineffective carbon dioxide and oxygen exchange. This has the effect of heightening and exaggerating the feelings that are already being experienced by the person with the high stress.

The simple act of counting to ten is also an excellent way to regain control of a seemingly 'out of hand' situation. Your breathing will slow and your heart rate will also reduce during the 'time out' you take when counting to ten. It gives both body and mind time to settle down a bit, thus allowing the person to behave more effectively.

Stress can cause a huge range of emotions, from anger to depression, it shows in many forms. But when faced with a 'peak' in a stressful situation, the deep breathing and/or the counting to ten could mean the difference between resolving the issue relatively calmly or winding yourself up and adding to the problem by behaving in ways that have no positive affect on the matter.

So if you find yourself in a highly stressed state, try to remember to breath and if necessary, count to ten. Give yourself the time to gain control and manage the stressful matter more positively.

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