Sink or Swim
Stress Management Strategies to Ensure Your Survival
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Chapter 1: Sink or Swim Life is meant to be lived. -Eleanor Roosevelt Imagine you do not know how to swim, and a friend pushes you in the deep end of a swimming pool. What do you do? What are you feeling? What are you thinking? Well, when you pop up out of the water you are probably experiencing feelings of panic. You are most likely thinking you are going to drown, and you are probably thrashing about aimlessly in an attempt to keep your head above water. You might also be calling out to anyone who will listen in a desperate cry for help to save you. Now imagine the same scenario if you do know how to swim. What do you do? What are you feeling? What are you thinking? Well, this time when you pop up out of the water you are more likely to be experiencing feelings of frustration or anger at your friend, but your training kicks in, and you easily tread water while you catch your breath. The thought of drowning probably doesn’t even enter you mind, because you have learned exactly what to do in these situations. There is no aimless thrashing, no desperate cry for help. Just a few seconds to compose yourself and then a calm, controlled swim to the side of the pool. Now think of when you are faced with a stressful situation - a situation which initially seems to be more than you are able to handle. Do you experience feelings of panic? Do you tell yourself you are going to drown in this mess? Do you figuratively thrash around aimlessly just trying to keep you head above water? Do you feel like crying out in a desperate attempt to get help? Just as swimming lessons can give you the confidence to remain calm in the pool, gaining an understanding of the stress response, analyzing your reactions to stress, and learning strategies to deal with your stress can help you feel the same calm control in your life when things go wrong.
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About the Book
We feel stress. Every day we feel stress. There have actually been times in our lives when we have felt like we were drowning in stress. Then one evening we went to a workshop and listened to a doctor briefly explain the stress response. We were fascinated, and we were hooked. We needed to know everything we could about this important concept, and more importantly how we could use this knowledge in our own lives and to help others in their life struggles. Our extensive research on this topic has taken us on a journey of discovery, a journey of knowledge, and a journey of healing. Our goal in this book is to share with you insights on the stress response, information about our body’s reactions to stress, and specific strategies to help you keep your head above water.
About the Author
Joanne Steed-Takasaki is a Stress Management Consultant and Motivational Speaker. She is the owner of Josta Consulting, Inc, and is the co-author of the book “Awakening the Workplace, Volume 3”. She has had the opportunity of presenting extensively in both business and education settings, and has worked with such clients as the Mirage Hotel and Casino and the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Joanne has a passion for health and wellness, and a mission to help others achieve knowledge, balance and success in their lives. She has her Master’s Degree in Education, Associate Diplomas from Trinity College in London, England, Mount Royal College in Calgary, Alberta and the Conservatory at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario. She has a love of learning, and is continually engaged in new courses and seminars. Joanne currently resides in Coaldale, Alberta. She has been a teacher for 25 years, and is also a certified Fitness Consultant and Personal Fitness Trainer. The loves of her life are her husband, Bob, her children, Christopher, Jayme and Brad, and her two Yorkshire Terriers, Gizmo and Tobi. Her passions are spending time with her family, traveling, reading, weight training, circuit training, and helping others achieve their potential. Jayme Pierringer is a Brigham Young University graduate with a degree in Organizational Behavior/Human Resources from the Marriott School of Business. She is currently the Director of Human Resources with the not-for-profit organization MicroBusiness Mentors in Provo, Utah where she assists with providing small business training and financial services among the low-income Hispanic community in Provo and surrounding areas. She is also a consultant and speaker with Josta Consulting, Inc. Jayme currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband. Her passions involve traveling, playing competitive sports, horseback riding, reading, cooking, and spending time with family. For further information or to schedule a seminar please visit jostaconsulting.com.