Stress is self-imposed in one way or another.

You create your life and your life

is created by what is inside of you and the choices that you make. You are resp
onsible for every thought and feelings that you have. No one else creates your l
ife, nor is anyone else responsible for your thoughts, feelings and choices.

However you choose to create stress, you can choose to transform it. Positive st
ress is based on true creativity rather than compulsive anxiety. Positive stress
requires taking care of your self emotionally, spiritual, cognitively, and inte
rpersonally. Negative stress creates distress
anxiety and suffering - and is dri
ven by repressive defenses aimed at keeping you from discovering your real self.
Workaholism, a prime example of negative stress, is a disorder based on busy mak
ing as a means of escaping from your own denied, buried emotions.

Building self-esteem requires more balance in your life. If you are too busy to
be involved with your own self-growth program then your time management may need
reorganization. Devote equal time to work, pleasure and joyful activities. Make
sure that other aspects of your life, such as recreation, hobbies, relationship
building, etc., are taken care of.

Recognize when you are in your disorder as compared to when you are not. Remembe
r that you are not your work. You perform work. You have a body, a mind and many
other things, but you are not any of these things. You are something else, sepa
rate and distinct from what anyone else or yourself may think you are. You are n
ot your personality. You are a living, breathing essence, a soul of infinite wor
th and value and only by exorcising your pain can you clean out the harmful impe
diments to high self-esteem.

Steps to Reducing Stress:

Reorganize your daily schedule in a more balanced direction.
Include creative, pleasurable, and joyful activities into your schedule.
Make a commitment that leads to a new life and gets you out of negative stre
ss.
Lie down for 15-30 minutes, with soft music playing in the background and be
gin to free associate. Do not censor your thoughts. Say out loud whatever comes
to your mind and let your unconscious mind free you from stress.
Allow for catharsis, abreaction and insight/connection. Catharsis and self-e
xpression are similar. Catharsis may involve an emotional breakthrough, while se
lf-expression involves a dramatic shift in energy and chemistry.

Remember:
You are letting the real you come out of hiding and be expressed, and that alone
relieves stress and gives you another wonderful piece of yourself.