MENTORING AS A MEANS OF REDUCING STRESS AND ANXIETY

So people hear and read about the latest and greatest ways to reduce stress and anxiety (if they can plow through the information or have the time to do so), and even attempt to implement some of these ideas. However, without external motivation and guidance, we have learned that the majority of individuals find it nearly impossible to maintain a regimen that they can sustain when trying to go it alone.

Recognizing that not one size fits all, it is important to design and implement a stress and anxiety reduction program that fits you. When motivated to do so, you can reduce a significant amount of stress and anxiety from your life. It does require, however, a program that you enjoy and find benefit from.

We at Trans-World Dynamics have identified and categorized four key areas of stress and anxiety production. In each of these areas, we have developed programs to help people design and implement effective tools and techniques for their particular needs. The four categories of stress and anxiety production that we address are:

1. Physical stress and anxiety
2. Psycho Social stress and anxiety
3. Job stress
4. Relationship stress

Each of these stress categories are virtually inescapable in our society, and most people experience one or more of these categories as moderately to severely high stressors in their lives. The insidious thing about stress and anxiety is that its presence in one category will often attach itself to other categories. The following are some benchmarks to help you assess where your areas of stress exist.

1. Ulcers
2. Neck and back pain
3. Heartburn
4. Stomach aches
5. Headaches
6. Underweight / Overweight / Obesity
7. Sleep disturbances
8. Psychosomatic illnesses
9. Low energy
10. Unquiet mind

1. Poor eating habits
2. Cigarette smoking
3. Abuse of medications
4. Excessive alcohol consumption
5. Abuse of prescribed medications
6. Over exercising
7. Dieting as opposed to healthy lifestyle changes

1. Loss of self confidence
2. Sloth or laziness
3. Depression
4. Mistrust of family, friends and co-workers
5. Increased anger reactions
6. Excessive sleeping
7. Feeling overwhelmed
8. Isolation
9. Undue worrying

1. Pushing yourself harder
2. Failure to supplement one’s judgment
3. Abuse of prescribed medications
4. Trying to deal with stress and anxiety alone
5. Excessive alcohol consumption
6. Excessive food consumption

1. Feeling overwhelmed
2. Fear of losing employment
3. Having to perform without adequate training
4. Long, excessive work hours
5. Deadlines
6. A manager or boss unskilled in the areas of communication and effective problem solving
7. The loss of ability to make decisions
8. The loss of ability to focus and accomplish

1. Self imposed longer work hours
2. Becoming increasingly negative at work to colleagues
3. The withholding of needed information from co-workers
4. Trying to make others look bad at their job
5. Blaming and/or shaming co-workers
6. Treating loved ones poorly
7. Excessive alcohol consumption
8. Excessive food consumption
9. Abuse of prescribed medications

1. Financial problems
2. Parenting and child rearing differences
3. Sex and intimacy issues
4. In-laws
5. Blended families
6. Single parenting

1. Affairs
2. Stonewalling (refusing to engage in dialog)
3. Criticizing
4. Threats to leave the relationship
5. Blaming and/or shaming
6. Domestic violence
7. Starting unnecessary arguments
8. Excessive alcohol consumption
9. Excessive food consumption
10. Self-imposed isolation

The gravity of stress and anxiety in our society is huge, and can create enormous adverse consequences if not adequately addressed. Trans-World Dynamics has developed a variety of stress and anxiety management programs for businesses, couples and individuals as a way of addressing the many symptoms that present themselves. The following are just some of the titles and themes we use to work with those in need of stress and anxiety reduction.

1. Being Embodied
   A non-invasive series that focuses on body movement techniques, to quiet the mind and connect to your body.
2. The Anxiety Reducer
   A self-observational technique utilizing specific breathing patterns to reduce and sometimes eliminate anxiety.
3. Guided Imagery
   A variety of guided imagery techniques to slow down the mind as a way to relax and unwind.
4. Guided Meditations
   A variety of meditation techniques utilizing breath, along with a focus on grounding, centering and letting go.
5. Sleep Hygiene
   A designed program for those who suffer with sleep disturbances.
6. The Healthy Lifestyles Program
   A custom designed program encompassing physical, spiritual and mental/emotional well being. This program’s design is tailored for groups and individuals to address the “Unhealthy Responses” to stress and anxiety.
7. Alcohol, Food and Drug Addictions (The Substance Killers)
   This program is designed to educate individuals in the workplace, as well as individually, on the signs and symptoms of addictions. Guidance, direction, information and support are offered for those struggling with the horrors of addiction.
8. The Communicator
   An effective, skill based program to reduce stress and anxiety when the need to dialog about difficult topics surfaces. This program’s design is user friendly in the workplace and in significant relationships. (See couples coaching for further details).