(801) 442-3509
Toll Free: 1-800-832-7733
Map

Employee Assistance Program

Managing Stress

Hans Selye, the Father of Stress, defined stress as "the common result of any demand upon the body". This really means stress comes from any kind of change! It truly implies that stress is a constant in our life.

Stress can come from a variety of situations – job promotions, fatigue, pain, weather or marriage. Having a balanced amount of stress, called "eustress" is essential for growth and improvement. But when the amount of stress is overwhelming or when it has accumulated beyond our capacity we experience "distress." One of our most important life skills is to identify a personal plan of stress management that capitalizes on stress to motivate us but also relieves the pressure of too much.

Self-Care Quick Tips

Our Favorite Books

Simple Abundance – by Sarah Ban Breathnach
A Daybook of Comfort of Joy. On the New York Times best-seller list for two years, this book is written for women, offering 366 essays for every day of the year. (Warner Books, 1995)

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff – by Richard Carlson
And it's all small stuff. Simple ways to keep the simple things from taking over your life. (Carlson, Richard, 1961)

Three Deep Breaths – by Thomas F. Crum
Finding Power and Purpose in a Stressed-Out World. (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2006)

Authentic Happiness – Martin Seligman
Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. (Free Press, 2002)

Learned Optimism – by Martin E. Seligman
How to Change Your Mind and Your Life. (Alfred A. Knopf, 1991)

"Fortunately, we can change how we perceive ourselves and how we relate to the stressors in our lives. We can acquire the skills and the resources to deal with stress as a challenge and as a learning opportunity." – Patricia Norris