By definition frustration is:
frus·tra·tion
The feeling of being upset or annoyed, esp. because of inability to change or achieve something.
An event or circumstance that causes one to have such a feeling.
Definition of stress:
a state of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium
What are some things that make you frustrated? For some there are many things and for others there are few. The two most common frustrations are work and relationships. When our day starts off bad the rest of the day can be frustrating. The reason for this is because we continue to go, go, go in this fast paced world. There are so many things we do at one time, we don’t allow ourselves to take a 5 minute time out and center ourselves.
What do you do to handle your stress and frustration? In most cases people will smoke, drink or gamble. There is some form of addiction or behavior that people will retreat to in order to escape there stress or frustration. This behavior is usually consistent for most and can lead to greater issues if we don’t have some kind of control.
So what are some ways we can take on the challenge of our stress and frustration? The first thing to do is find out where the underline cause of the frustration is coming from. For example: If it is your relationship. What seems off. In most cases it is communication. We don’t talk things out and instead we sacrifice something. Have you ever sacrificed something just to avoid an argument? I know I have! When this happens we slowly start to build stress and frustration till we just blow our tops.
Second, We need to take the time to center ourselves. Take that well deserved time out. Find something that you really like to do that doesn’t feed a habit or cause you to stay planted on the couch. Some examples of this are: exercise, sports, hiking, picnics, bike riding, or travel. Sometimes it just takes us getting out of our consistent environment like the house or the office. Explore new places and make it fun and adventures. This doesn’t mean a new bar or movie theater, if that’s what you were thinking.
The final step of this process is to resolve the underline challenge. Communicate it to someone even if it’s not the person you originally had the issue with. Discuss ways that you can approach the stress or frustration with ease and walk away with a understanding. If we can take the time to look within and change the actions that maybe causing the issue then you just may come to a resolution. But remember that all people must do the same for it to be effective. If only one person is willing to change and the other is not then it won’t work.
How will these steps help me? This process allows you to find peace and look within ourselves. We all get off center from time to time. But if you don’t take action to accept change then you will continue with frustration and stress. Remember to never be so prideful that you won’t ask for help. There is always a person or a resource out there to help. Utilize some form of self empowerment weather it’s a book, audio, video, or person.
“Live with love in your heart, empowerment in your soul and peace in your life”
~ Josh Capenter