Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Living Well with the Carrie Connection

It's been said that the 80/20 rules applies to nearly all areas of life. That is 20 percent of the people have 80 percent of the money. Twenty percent of the people do 80 percent of the work and so forth. Could it also be that 20 percent of the people have 80 percent of the stress? My guess is 20 percent of the people think so.

Carrying such a burden can be mentally overwhelming and physically exhausting. Here's a simple stress test.

As you brushed your teeth this morning what was on your mind? Were you thinking about taste of the toothpaste, brushing in a circular motion or the feel of the bristles on your gums? Were you living the moment?

If you are like many people you missed the moment and instead were already thinking about your endless list. You were already mentally dancing with the pressures, worries and challenges that make up your typical day. You were already beginning to feel the anxiety of stress.

Brushing our teeth may only be a small moment, but think of the bigger moments that are lost to mental absence. Are you mentally there for the family moments? When you've arrived home physically do you also arrive mentally?

Leaving the stresses of the workplace at work is difficult. One person observed, "When it rains in the workplace families at home get wet."

And problems at home are a major cause for absenteeism in the workplace. So how does one escape the gridlock of stress?

Actually stress is a vital part of life. It is the gnawing in our stomach or restless anxiety that encourages us to finish a task, to try harder, to reach deeper and to be our personal best. Only in excess does stress become distress. When we become overwhelmed by the stress, not only do we become less effective in tackling our responsibilities, but we also increase the probability of a number of health-related problems.

Distress may result in headaches, high blood pressure, backaches, insomnia and may reduce the body's resistance to illness and disease. Distress also may cause us to turn emotionally inward, a process also known as hosting our own personal pitty party. When distress causes us to turn inward we often isolate our selves from support resources and become depressed.

When stress moves beyond that gentle nudge and instead becomes mentally overwhelming and physically exhausting, it's time for action. It's time to relax.

Here are some suggestions for reducing stress: try physical activity; toss stressors you can't change; traditions; find something to laugh about; enjoy the moment; build a support system; write in a journal; help someone else; and relax.

CHICKEN AND EGG

COOKING CONTEST

There will be a Chicken and Egg Festival cooking contest June 1. Get your registration and instruction forms at the Chamber of Commerce or the Extension office. Pull out those recipes and get ready to cook!