Clyde's Corner

by Clyde Lindley

"Quotable Quotes"

"Love cures people-both those who give it and the ones who receive it."
- Karl Menninger

"Old men (persons) are always young enough to learn."
- Aeschylus (525 - 456 B.C.)

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then Quit. No use being a damn fool about it."
- W.C. Fields

"What a person thinks on his own without being stimulated by the thoughts and experiences of other people is even in the best case rather paltry and monotonous."
- Albert Einstein

"Things take longer than they do."
- Augustine's Laws (Any task can be completed in only one-third more time than is currently estimated.)

"The art of progress is to preserve order amid change, and to preserve change amid order."
- Alfred N. Whitehead

Stress in the Workplace

It is not unusual now to hear someone exclaim in frustration, "I have no time to do all the things I need to do." The Wall Street Journal's quarterly survey of public opinion (March 8, 1996) states, "Americans are busy to the point of discomfort." The economic, social, demographic, and technological changes on the past several years have not only altered the structure of how we work, but have changed the way we live. It is now more difficult to carry out the non-workplace tasks related to maintaining a family and household and/or relationships with significant others.

Lower budgets and downsizing have increased the pressure on workers, and produced feelings of anxiety and insecurity about losing one's job or being forced to take a marked reduction in pay.

These feelings and expressions of discontent do not represent maladaptive behavior. They express real concern for what is happening.

Fortunately there are some well accepted mental hygiene principles that help you handle stress and make you feel better. They should also make you more productive and provide more positive and efficient ways of coping.

1. Take a break-do something else. The key here is to make this a part of daily life.

2. Learn to relax. This can include meditation, stretching, listening to music, etc. (See Jacobson, E. 1938 Progressive Relaxation. Chicago Press; 1957 You Must Relax. NY:McGraw-Hill. Note: your library will have many current articles on relaxation.)

3. Share your anxious/disturbing feelings with others (wife/husband, good friend, or even a psychologist/counselor).

4. Exercise-daily for 30 minutes or 3 to 4 times weekly. The physical benefits of regular exercise are well known. The psychological benefits may result in greater emotional stability, improved mood, decreased tension, and stimulation of mental activity. Recent studies suggest exercise may keep the mind active for both young and older persons. (If you haven't exercised recently, have illnesses or are over 50, consult your doctor before beginning. References: Tufts University Diet & Nutrition Letter, Vol. 13, No. 10, Dec. 1995; U of CA at Berkeley Wellness Letter, Vol. 9, issue 9, June 1993; The John Hopkins Medical Letter Health After 50, Vol. 5, Issue 4, June 1993.)

Many of you already know these principles. But some haven't taken the time to think about them and alter their life "behavioral" style.