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Stress
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We live in a fast-paced world that often feels inflexible and unforgiving. Stress abounds for countless reasons. Whether we are struggling to make ends meet during a difficult economic climate, feeling overwhelmed by our relationships with our kids or spouse, or trying to achieve greatness in our careers, there is often a cloud of stress that looms all around. Regardless of the numerous stress techniques and toys sold in the major markets, stress remains difficult to escape. Not any more! At The Option Institute we offer stress relief that is completely unique. We will help you to uncover and possibly remove the root cause of your stress.
How Does Stress Affect Our Lives
From stress in the workplace to health issues
How The Option Institute Can Help
How our beliefs and perecptions can affect us
What Stress Management Programs Are Available?
Recommended programs for stress management
Personal Stories
Experiences of several program participants
How Does Stress Affect Our Lives?
The American Institute of Stress estimates that 75% - 95% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related problems. In fact, the Congressional Prevention Coalition on Stress Prevention (7/98) cited an estimate that 90% of disease is caused or complicated by stress.
A great many of us experience stress in the workplace. The year 2000 Annual "Attitudes in the American Workplace VI" Gallup poll found that 80% of workers feel stress on the job. Nearly half of those people said they needed help in learning how to manage stress.
What's more, stress has a number of noted health effects. The Journal of the American Heart Association (5/21/2002) reported that mental stress caused the inner layer of the blood vessels to constrict, which may increase the risk of sudden cardiac death. The America Medical Women's Association Complete Health book links high levels of stress with weakened immune systems, colds, coughs, asthma, urinary tract problems, arthritis, and digestive tract problems.
The physical and emotional consequences of stress drive many to seek ways to reduce stress. And although many different stress management techniques are offered, most focus on either changing the world around you (i.e. avoiding certain people or situations) or trying to calm the symptoms (i.e. deep breathing, meditation). These are the most common ways for coping with stress.
How The Option Institute Can Help
We help you to uncover and possibly remove the root cause of your stress. We have found that stress is not a product of circumstance, it is the result of particular sets of beliefs and ways of thinking. In fact, two noted sources (the American Institute of Stress and Stress Directions Inc.) define stress as a response to a perceived demand, pressure, or lack of control.
This is precisely the area upon which our stress management techniques focus. We help you to change the way you perceive people and events in your life. So, rather than simply giving you management techniques, we show you how to move beyond your stress by uncovering and then discarding the beliefs, perceptions, and modes of thinking that got you there in the first place. Then you are no longer at the mercy of external events, and, instead, you can become the architect of your own internal experience.
Option Institute Programs for Managing Stress
Calm Amid Chaos
From losing your job, to a friend diagnosed with cancer, to the collapse of the housing market, to earthquakes in Asia, to a bombing in Barcelona–the world can seem chaotic... overwhelming... unfair. Imagine being able to maintain an inner quiet and strength in the face of challenging and seemingly incomprehensible events. Not by hiding from them or ignoring them, but by facing them unflinchingly and with ease. In Calm Amid Chaos you will develop a foundational system of interlocking beliefs that enable you to stand easy in the face of whatever the world throws at you.
Inner Strength
Stress results from many daily scenarios at home, work and around town. We are never quite prepared for the heavy lifting that comes with the everyday tribulations of money, relationships, health and the general uncertainties of life. Inner Strength is an intensive two-week fitness program for your mind and soul that will help you to develop Herculean capacity for whatever comes your way.
Extraordinary Man
Being a man can be a glorious experience, but it often comes with extreme stress brought on by countless expectations. Maybe you’ve never looked under the hood of a car and have no desire to. TERRIFIC! Maybe you love to watch sports with the guys. WONDERFUL! Maybe you’ve always been sensitive to other people’s feelings. WHAT A GIFT! The point is, there is no right or wrong way to be a man. What’s important is being yourself and feeling calm and good at the same time. Why not give yourself an amazing opportunity in a group of other men, to re-evaluate how you’ve come to where you are today?
Personal Stories — Overcoming Stress
The amazing work of Barry and Samahria Kaufman gives us the psychotherapeutic breakthrough we sorely need in this age of stress. I have been a family practitioner for thirty years, always with an understanding of mind-body interconnectiveness. I have searched and tried everything from Freud, Jung, Adler, Reich, Perls, Rogers, Maslow, Laing, Lowen, Maltz, Wemer, Huxley, May and a host of other schools of thought and therapy on my patients - trying to identify a system or process that would qualify as 'mind treatment' while I was treating their bodies. This is it! I have successfully integrated the Kaufmans' teaching process as I understand it, with my usual treatment plans for Migraine, Backache, PMS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Anxiety, Depression, Asthma, Emphysema, Cancer, Colitis, Psoriasis, Physical Injuries, Eating Disorders, Smoking, Alcoholism, Resistant Obesity, Panic Attacks, Diabetes, Gout, Rheumatoid and Degenerative Arthritis, Agoraphobia, Writers Block, Nightmares, Alopecia Areata, Angina Pectoris and Hypercholesterolemia. The quick and dramatic therapeutic results I have been achieving, absolutely befuddle my imagination.
Anyone who experiences personal unhappiness can benefit. The individual learns to identify and question beliefs that lead to unhappiness and equally important, the individual learns how to allow happiness to intervene. It is a break-through that deserves to be explored by all healing professionals.
Edward A. T., M.D. Family Practitioner, Illinois
When I was seven years old, I found an injured garter snake and cared for him until he healed. From then on, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I worked hard and spent years in school preparing. When I finally opened my own veterinary clinic, it was like a dream come true. I saw myself as another James Herriott, curing the animals and receiving the appreciation of my thankful clients.
But reality was quite different. Sometimes the animals didn't get well. Some died. Then their owners often got upset. Some people even refused to pay their bills. Although I'd achieved my lifelong dream, I was becoming more and more stressed out. I was so tense and unhappy, that I developed a painful stomach condition which was, according to my doctor, stress-related. At age 31, I was well on my way to an ulcer! My dream had become a nightmare and I could barely drag myself into work.
Then a friend suggested that I attend an Introductory Weekend at The Option Institute. In those three days, I derived learnings and benefits which helped me change my entire life! During the program we investigated the underlying beliefs causing our discomfort in a variety of circumstances. For me, the insights were both fascinating and helpful.
For instance, I realized that I'd been operating from a very irrational belief--that if I did my job well enough, the animal would recover. As a result I'd been secretly blaming myself each time an animal died and holding myself responsible for the pain the owners felt. When I let go of this unreasonable responsibility, I felt that a huge burden had been lifted from me. What's more, I discovered that I could remain comfortable with myself even when my clients were critical or upset with me.
As the result of these changes my clinic has flourished. Not only am I successful in my career, but I also love it! I look forward to each new day. My stomach problems disappeared and I hardly ever get sick.
Just last week I had to tell a woman that her beloved cat was suffering from leukemia. This lady became very upset and even seemed to be angry with me. Before my experience at The Option Institute, I'd have felt defensive and tense. It would have been difficult to even remain in the same room with her. But now my reactions were completely different. I no longer took this lady's anger personally. Instead I was able to remain open and undefensive and to listen. Soon she apologized for her outburst and then explained that her daughter had died of leukemia. We talked for a while and, when she left, she thanked me for helping her become more comfortable with a difficult situation. What would have been a very stressful situation for me had been transformed into an opportunity to extend compassion and caring, thanks to all I learned at The Option Institute.
Chuck B., Veterinarian, Virginia
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