Thorsons
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First published as Your Complete Stress-Proofing Programme 1983
This completely revised and expanded edition published 1992
© Leon Chaitow 1983, 1992
Leon Chaitow asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
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Source ISBN: 9780007272938
Ebook Edition © JULY 2016 ISBN: 9780007569038
Version: 2016-08-17
To my darling wife, Alkmini,
a counsellor of rare skill from
whom I have learned much.
Contents
1. The Causes and Nature of Stress
2. The Physical Effects of Stress
3. The Musculoskeletal System and Stress
4. The Healing Power of Hardiness, Happiness and Self-Esteem
6. Starting to Stress-Proof Yourself
8. Additional Relaxation Methods
10. Using the Power of Your Mind for Healing
Choosing to Become Less Stressed
There will always be stress in life, and really what we have to look at is our reaction to it rather than trying to make the stress go away. In this book I explain a number of practical ways to enable you to better cope with the pressures you find yourself under.
But, first, let us look at exactly what stress is, since once you have understood the diverse nature of it, and its possible ramifications in terms of ill health, you will more readily be able to see the importance of these stress-management methods.
Where applicable wrist watches used to be described as ‘waterproof’, but this expression now tends to be altered to ‘water resistant’. In stating the degree of resistance the manufacturers have, of course, to take into account the nature of the hazard and the properties and quality of the instrument, as well as the different sorts of water it might be immersed in (salt water, fresh water, acid or alkaline water etc.), and the depths beyond which its resistance begins to deteriorate. There are other hazards, too, facing wrist watches, such as shock, heat, cold, magnetic fields and so on.
In the same way we face a range of stress factors, and it is not possible to ‘stress-proof’ ourselves absolutely. Stress resistance can be increased, however, and as in the case of the watch, we have to look at the variable stress factors and the nature of the instrument at risk – that is, you. The aim is, therefore, not to try to eliminate stress, but to modify it where possible and to encourage in yourself appropriate responses to it.
Variables exist not only in the nature and intensity of the stress you face, but also in the unique characteristics which each of us possess. Some of us are born with a strong degree of what is termed ‘hardiness’, whilst others seem to be short of this innate defensive shield.
The hardiness factor is a combination of things, including a sense of being in control of life and events, a feeling that the multiple changes which occur throughout life present challenges or opportunities rather than threats, and a wish to be involved in society and the lives of others (commitment). The good news is that, as with so many aspects of stress-proofing, these positive, stress-coping characteristics can be learned and acquired once you know more about them.
The whole subject of hardiness, as well as the importance of understanding the role of happiness and cynicism in your life and their effects on your health, are fully explained in Chapter.
The state of your health is the result of the complex interrelationship between the uniqueness of you and the challenges and stresses of your particular internal and external environment. Those stresses can be self-produced (e.g. anger, fear) or they can be externally generated (e.g. job insecurity, an unstable marriage etc.) Mostly your