Talking to yourself to avoid stress

Talking to yourself helps to avoid stress and relieve pressure

23/04/2012

Talking to yourself can help reduce stress. Phrases like "he cooks only with water" or "I'll pack it", shoot through the minds of most people and they are often subconsciously pronounced. The soliloquy for bystanders may seem odd at times, but they help those affected to cope with stress.

Self-talk reduces or eliminates stress, said Prof. Hans-Dieter Hermann from the German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG) in Saarbrücken on the margins of the leading international trade fair for fitness, wellness and health. This is a much underestimated method of stress management, according to the expert.

Self-talk has a calming effect and helps develop positive action strategies
Dialogue with oneself, whether in thought or outspoken, helps to reduce stress, explained Prof. Hermann. The thoughts that are being fired at, admitted and articulated, could contribute to a significant reduction of mental stress in the workplace. Sentences such as "I'm going to go step by step" now help those affected to stay calm even when workload is high. In general, self-talk often serves as a source of encouragement, strengthening self-esteem and helping to keep up with the pressures of the workplace. In addition, sentences such as "He cooks only with water" serve as an outlet for annoyance and displeasure. The self-talk makes it easier for those affected to calm down and develop positive action strategies, reports the news agency "dpa" with reference to the statements of Professor Hermann.

Self talk is an underrated method of coping with stress
The expert from the German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG) in Saarbrücken emphasized the stress-reducing effect of self-talk and explained that this was "a very underestimated method" of stress management. The need to prevent and reduce stress in the workplace is demonstrated by the health consequences of prolonged stress. Stress is the second leading cause of absenteeism in German companies. As a result, many large companies are already investing in stress prevention today. "Health management is also worthwhile in terms of motivation, employee satisfaction and error reduction. In this respect, the costs are quickly recouped ", emphasized the active as a sports psychologist of the German national football team expert of the German University for Prevention and Health Management. For example, according to Prof. Hermann, companies can contribute to the costs of sports and prevention courses.

Strategies to manage stress in the workplace
But not only the company as a whole, but also every single employee can use strategies to avoid stress, explained the expert. For short-term psychological reassurance, for example, a long exhalation is suitable, explained Prof. Hermann on the sidelines of a congress at the fitness fair FIBO.

Autogenic training is another method that can also be used in everyday work and can be helpful in managing stress. In addition, in the natural healing movement exercises of tai chi and qigong are considered suitable methods for successful stress management or avoidance. Stress can lead to depression, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and immune diseases, but also to tension, headaches or back pain. (Fp)

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