ADV. 16.5. DEALING WITH STRESS

I. OFFERING HELP AND SUPPORT

1. STRESS

'Fight or flight' response - an instinctual response that helps you face danger and escape
headway - progress
chronic - recurring or lasting
toss and torn - sleep restlessly
recharge your batteries - reenergize
a breather - a break
put it on the back burner - do it when you're not busy

It can be difficult to handle a lot of problems at the same time
I like to decompress at the end of each day by reading a book
Work is so stressful at the moment. I constantly feel frazzled.
How are you going to cope with losing two members of your team?
I really feel like we're making headway on this project.

Symptoms or causes 

He's got high blood pressure
It's a heavy workload
Her schedule's hectic
We'll get burnt out
I feel frazzled

Ways to cope 

Don't sweat the small stuff.
Take a breather
Make headway
Put something on the back burner
Recharge your batteries


2. EMPHASIZING 


Expansion: Adding emphasis
Sometimes speakers want to focus attention on a particular thing or idea.
One way to do that is to change the order of a sentence.
In some grammar books, this is referred to as a cleft sentence (cleft sentence).
One way is to reorder a sentence for emphasis by beginning with What.
Then, connect the remainder of the sentence with be.
Notice that the emphasis is on constant noise in the first sentence and how it changes to
frustrates me with the What cleft.

The constant noise frustrates me.
What frustrates me is the constant noise.

You can also put
 What expressions in front of a sentence to emphasize the entire sentence.

You need to be more careful.
What you need to do is be more careful.

The moment you relax, your immune system crashes.
What happens is, the moment you relax, your immune system crashes.


You can also emphasize with so + adjective followed by a that clause.I'm so nervous that I can't focus.
Lolo was so consumed by life that she forgot to eat.


You can also add emphasis using
 so much + adjective, preposition or noun phrase, and then a that clause.

The traffic's gotten so much worse that I've started taking the subway.
She's got so much on her mind that she scheduled two meetings for the same time.
Gary's under so much pressure at work that he becomes a nervous wreck.


You can also emphasize with such a or such an + a noun or a noun phrase followed by a that clause.
He was such a wreck that he forgot it was his birthday.

Daniel is such a conscientious student that I'm sure he'll do well.
Note: You cannot substitute so or such with very. Remember, you can omit that in all of these sentences.


Daniel is such a conscientious student, she's sure he's kept up with all his reading.
Daniel's brother was so nervous that he couldn't sleep.
His brother was so consumed by his exams that he didn't take the time to eat properly.
He was so sleep deprived and malnourished that he came down with a cold.
He was such a wreck that he couldn't go on the trip.
What happens is, the moment you slow down, your immune system crashes.
What you need to do is take care of yourself.

I was so distracted on the morning of my wedding that I left the rings at home.
The boss gave me so much work that I'll have to stay late all week.
The economy is in such a shambles that I fear for my job.
Gary is under so much stress at work that he has become a nervous wreck.
There was so much traffic this morning that I arrived an hour late for my morning class.
She's got so much on her mind that she's acting irrationally.
What frustrates me is the constant interruptions.
The situation's gotten so much  worse that I've lost all hope.

3. EXPRESSING HELP AND SUPPORT


Hi Caleb,
I got your letter yesterday- thank you for the picture of the wedding. I framed it and put it on the mantel next to your graduation picture. Does the time ever fly!
I understand you are under a lot of stress looking for a new place. Moving can be that way. It sounds like you are looking at a lot of places, and that can be very overwhelming. Probably what you need to do is narrow down the area you are looking in. It might be a good idea to visualize what your life would be like in the different areas of the city and decide on one. Then only look at property in that area. When you make a list of pros and cons, you ought to consider the commute, where you’ll do your grocery shopping, and even though you’re not there yet, thinking about the schools in the area couldn’t hurt.
It’s always hard to know if you are making the right decision, so don’t be afraid to ask to view the house a few times before you make an offer. And you should definitely try to schedule your viewings at different times of the day and week to get an idea of what the place is like at different hours. As for the condition, caveat emptor, or “buyer beware” applies, so the only solution is to hire a professional house inspector, and ask loads of questions. My neighbor Dale’s son is an inspector. Why don’t you try giving him a call? I think his fee is about $500. Let me know if you would like his phone number and I’ll get it for you.
Well, let me know how it all goes and please give my regards to Tanya.
Love,
Grandad Jack
mantel - каминная полка
ought to - должен

Calling ahead couldn't hurt.
You ought to take a breather sometimes.
It might be a good idea to postpone it.
The only solution is to postpone the event.
What you need to do is set priorities.
You should definitely tell your boss.

Put it on the back burner.
It might be a good idea to read a book.
What frustrates me are the constant interruptions.
 What you need to do is decompress.
The only solution is to sit quietly.
What happens is you toss and turn and get frazzled.

4. OFFERING HELP AND SUPPORT

Isn't there anything you could put on the back burner?


II. RECOMMENDING A STRESS RELIEF METHOD 

1. REDUCING STRESS 


Center for Meditative Arts
Introduction to Meditation for Stress and Anxiety
While human beings are endowed (наделен) with the ability to resolve many ordinary issues by employing their intellect, other issues are transcendental in domain and require deeper contemplation (созерцание).  For any persons suffering from stress and anxiety, meditation can be an effective way to decompress (снятие напряжения). The meditative state of deep rumination (размышление) has a powerful impact on thought processes (мыслительный процесс), giving anxiety (беспокойство) sufferers the ability to transcend (превосходить) ordinary issues of daily existence and consider the source of their stress more objectively. People who are plagued by (страдает от)  stress report that after taking up (начала) meditation practice, their worries fade into insignificance (исчезают).
In meditation, also known as contemplation, we begin by stilling (успокоение) the mind and freeing it from its usual distractions and tensions (напряжение). This enables us to singly focus on an object of intense love, interest or concern, resulting first in its understanding at an intellectual level and then on an intimate intuitional level. Those who meditate generally report having come to realize the existence of an underlying unity to all things.
Benefits of regular meditation include an enhanced (повышенный) capacity for:
• Attention: This faculty (способность) forms the foundation of character, judgment and will. And since attention does not have a fixed capacity, it can be improved by mental training. Regular meditation has been shown to increase capability to improve attention and resist (оказывать сопротивление) distraction.
• Sense Withdrawal (изъятие)Our senses seem to drag us around in the external world, in pursuit of (в погоне за) material objects, food, or circumstances related to professional, social, or economic life. Daily meditation helps us to gain positive control over such impulsiveness.
• Lucidity (прозрачность)Our perception (восприятие) and judgment is often clouded by our egos and insecurities. Meditation promotes clarity in both perception and understanding. It helps us to sort the vital from the trivial.
• Equanimity (невозмутимость): Our experience of satisfaction in life is very much affected by (под влиянием) our ability to control our reactions. Meditation can help us develop the capacity to maintain mental and emotional composure (хладнокровие) in the face of environmental strain  (напряжение) and disturbance (волнение).
For enrolment (регистрация) information, call 788-555-8998 or visit www.center4meditativearts.us
to transcend - exist above and independently of
ruminate - contemplate, ponder
a lucid thinker - rational
gut -

SIGN UP NOW FOR ONE OF OUR POPULAR YOGA PROGRAMS!
HATHA YOGA
A rejuvenating (омолаживающий) class focusing on releasing tension from the muscles from everyday life and sports activities. Learn to breathe deeply while experiencing a flow of postures (позы) to stimulate the body physically and mentally. Through this practice you enhance (усилить) flexibility, increase muscle tone and concentration, detoxify the organs and feel a deep state of relaxation.

POWER YOGA
An energetic, faster-paced (более быстый темп) class improving strength, flexibility and balance with a continual flow of postures and dynamic breathing techniques. Through this invigorating (бодрящий) practice you can cleanse the body, stimulate your cardiovascular system, develop your agility (ловкость) and balance and build muscle tone.

KUNDALINI YOGA
An energetic form of yoga that stimulates the glandular (эндокринный), nervous and immune systems. Each class includes centering oneself with a mantra, warm-up, a specific yoga posture set, deep relaxation and meditation. Benefits include weight control, relief from stress and insomnia as well as liver detoxification.

RESTORATIVE YOGA
A revitalizing and gentle class using props to support the body. Perfect for inflexible students, people with injuries or rehabilitating, high stress or sickness. Experience improved circulation, a calm mind and a relaxed, stretched body.

CANDLELIGHT YOGA
A revitalizing, nurturing and meditative class. Emphasis on breathing techniques using gentle postures to improve circulation and de-stress. Experience a calm mind and a relaxed, stretched body. And learn to embrace (охватить) stillness (безмятежность).

PRE-And POST-NATAL YOGA
This class provides a safe and supportive environment to prepare, through yoga and breathing techniques, for pre/post birth and new motherhood. Postures are modified to accommodate (приспособить) the changing needs of a mother-to-be and new mom. Post-natal moms are welcome to bring pre-mobile babies. A great place to connect.

BIKRAM YOGA
Done in a hot room, this class is very physical and the intensity is high. When combined with the heat, it makes for a tough workout. This class is recommended for yoga veterans and extremely fit individuals only. The Bikram series warms and stretches muscles, ligaments (связки) and tendons (сухожилия) in the order in which they should be stretched. This yoga has been helpful in removing symptoms of disease and chronic pain in the body, which works if the student maintains regular practice.



2. IMPERATIVES 

First, sit and relax.
As you relax, put all your focus on your right foot.
Slowly tense your right foot muscles; squeeze tightly.
Count to ten as you squeeze, then relax your right foot.
Notice the tension leaving your right foot.
Follow the same sequence of tension and release for your left foot.
Finally, move up through your body contracting and relaxing the muscles.

Techniques

deep breathing
mindful eating
yoga
self-massage
aerobics

If you aren't already doing so, sit down. Then, just close your eyes. Check your body for any tension. Get more comfortable. If you notice any tension, just release it. Let the jaw soften and drop. Take a deep breath in. Feel it fill your lungs. Then, let it out. And relish the feeling. 
Hear the sounds around you, and notice your breathing continuing alongside the sounds. Notice the feeling of the breath in your nostrils. Notice the rest of your body. Notice what is happening now, in your body and in your surroundings.
And when you find you've drifted off on some thought, just reconnect with the breathing again. Become aware again of what is. Allow it to all just be there as it is, easy and natural.



3. OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE LANGUAGE



Objective and subjective language
As you read a text, it's important to be able to discern the difference between fact and opinion.
When facts or other people's opinions are reported, objective language should be used,
free of emotional words and phrases. 
PMR was developed by Edmund Jacobsen.
It's a technique designed to induce relaxation.
They claim that PMR promotes restful sleep.
Subjective language, on the other hand, contains emotional words and phrases and is useful for expressing
opinions. 
After yoga, your tension simply disappears like clouds in a breeze.
Don't feel intimidated; seemingly anyone can do it!

TEXT A

Developed by Edmund Jacobsen in the 1920’s, PMR is a relaxation technique which aims to relieve the muscular tension that accompanies (сопровождает) anxiety, thereby alleviating (облегчает) the anxiety itself. A procedure is followed whereby a patient alternately tenses and relaxes muscle groups. It is thought that tensing the muscles before releasing them enhances the feeling of relaxation one gets, as compared to simply attempting (попытка) to relax.

TEXT B
Let our resident stress counselor (консультант) guide you through one of the most simple and easy-to-learn techniques for relaxation. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) will teach you to relax by deliberately (сознательно) applying tension to certain muscle groups, and then stopping the tension and turning your attention to how the muscles relax as the tension just flows away. Through regular practice you quickly learn to recognize the feeling of your muscle tensing. With this simple knowledge, you can summon (вызывать) physical muscular relaxation and mental calmness—in any situation!

TEXT C
Yoga is a well-recognized manner of stress relief. It has been touted (расхваливать) to offer many benefits ranging from back pain relief to spiritual enlightenment (просветление). Originating in India, yoga is understood in the western world mainly as a set of physical poses coupled with breathing exercises. There are a number of variations on the practice, ranging from energetic to meditative. Yoga practitioners claim that yoga is an effective form of stress relief, which is its major appeal (призыв) in the West.

TEXT D
If stress and anxiety are getting the better of you, you might want to join one of the yoga classes that are being taught seemingly (по-видимому) everywhere. Yoga has many styles with varying intensities, but if what you are looking for is a way to shake off (избавиться) your stress, hit a Hatha yoga class. Known for its rejuvenating effect, Hatha yoga is a moderate intensity combination of revitalizing (восстанавливащий) movement and calming breath exercises. You may have heard that yoga involves a lot of stretching - it does - but you don’t have to be extraordinarily limber (гибкий) to join a class, in fact you’ll find that most people attending a yoga class are of average fitness level. So, don’t be intimidated (запуган) - there’s no need to be a contortionist (акробат) and, in any case, yoga is not a competitive sport! So make like a downward (вниз) facing dog and try yoga. You’ll be hooked (зацепить) !

Objective

yoga is understood to be
originating in India
tense up your muscles
claim that
aims to

Subjective

no need to be
tension just flows away
seemingly taught everywhere 
don't be intimidated
simple and easy to learn



It's seemingly rejuvenating and makes you more limber. 
They claim there's no need to be contortionist. 
You tense up your muscles groups, then relax them.
It's a lot of stretching and holding certain poses.
Do you do PMR - Progressive Muscle Relaxation?
It's understood to make the tension just flow away.

4. RECOMMENDING A STRESS RELIEF METHOD
I'm really sorry for your troubles. 


III. OFFERING SYMPATHY

1. MAJOR LIFE PROBLEMS 


divorce - legal separation of a husband and wife
marital problems - difficulties in a marriage
bankruptcy - legally declaring yourself unable to pay your debts
redundancy - occurs when your employer no longer needs you
custody hearing - court trial that determines who the children will live with

Personal problems

marital strife
custody hearing
domestic dispute
divorce

Business problems

redundancy
cutbacks
supply chain issues
regulation

2. LISTENING CUES

Right
Ok.
Really?
Mm-Hmm
Uh-huh?
I hear you.


3. EXPRESSING SYMPATHY 

That must have been terrible.
That really sucks.
How awful.
I can't belief that.
No way.
What a shame.

You've been having such a terrible time of it.
That must be hard to deal with.
At least things can't get any worse.
Try not to worry too much about it.
You'll bounce back.
Don't be too hard on yourself.


IV. DEALING WITH STRESS 

1. TECHNOLOGY AND STRESS

traffic jams 
redress - восстановление
trap - ловушка
enhance - усиливать
stressor - стрессор
disrupt - разрушать 

There was a huge traffic jam out on the highway this morning.

The manufacturer is attempting to  redress complaints about the poor signal.

Don't fall into the  trap of believing who you are can be defined by a social network.

Can social networks enhance real life to make it richer?

Cellphone sounds have been proven to be a major stressor .

I can't stand it when a cellphone  disrupts a lovely meal or event.



2. DESCRIBING THINGS WITH THE SENSES

exquisite - very beautiful, delicate (like a butterfly)
soothing - making you feel calm (like the wind in the trees)
serene - peaceful and calm (like the lake)
delectable - delicious, having a wonderful flavour (like the lemonade)
enchanting - having a magical effect on you (like the mountains)
uplifting - making you feel happier, energized (like a day out of the city)

The massage was incredibly soothing. It really relaxed my aching muscles.
That pizza was delectable!  When did you learn to cook like that?
 She grows such exquisite orchids in her greenhouse. They look and smell incredible.
One of the best ways to wake yourself up is to take a refreshing swim in a cold outdoor pool.
I find choral music very uplifting. It really raises my spirit when I'm down.
I find the beach in the morning a very serene place - so peaceful and quiet.
I came upon a baby deer when I was walking today. It was an enchanting scene - I wish I'd had a camera.
What an incredible sunset - all those amazing reds and purples filling up the whole sky!


3. SENSE VERBS 


Sense verbs in present simple and continuous
When a sense verb is used in the present simple, it generally has a literal meaning.
When a sense verb is used in the present continuous, it can have a different meaning;
or, it can simply mean that the action is happening now.
see the doctor. = I see the doctor with my sense of sight.

I'm seeing Mary. = I'm dating Mary.
I'm seeing a doctor on Thursday. = I have an appointment with a doctor on Thursday.
You can smell those beautiful flowers. = You smell them with your sense of smell.
I'm smelling your beautiful flowers. = I'm smelling them now.


Here are some more examples of sense verbs in the present simple and continuous.
hear the traffic. = I hear the traffic with my sense of hearing.
I'm hearing things. = I'm experiencing sounds in my mind that no one else is experiencing.
taste lemon in the tea. = I taste lemon with my sense of taste.
I'm tasting the tea. = I'm trying the tea to find out what the flavors are like.
feel the cold water. = I feel the cold with my sense of touch.
I'm feeling sick. = I'm experiencing sickness.

She is seeing a doctor. She wants to get serious but he's often too busy to meet her.
These oranges are delicious! They taste sweet, but also a little bitter.
I stand on the balcony and look out. I smell flowers, and see a bright moon in the sky.
I hate durian. I just think it smells terrible.
I think the soap might be too salty. Sally is tasting it, so we'll soon find out.
I think I saw someone in the yard. Maybe it was a burglar.
Calm down. There was nobody in the yard. You were hearing things. 

4. COMMUNICATING FEELINGS 

It reminds me of when I was a kid.
It makes me so happy to be alive.
It makes me want to quit my job.
It gives me a sense of peace and well-being.
I feel like singing and skipping.
I feel totally revitalized.



5. DEALING WITH STRESS

Hi,

What a crazy week it's been for me. As you know, my work has been one of my major stressors, especially with the new management. They don't seem to understand how to motivate their staff, and when we do a good job, they don't acknowledge us. I'm not sure how much longer I can work here.

Also, do you remember Tia, the girl I met in the coffee shop a few months ago? Well, things aren't going well between us, and I think we might end the relationship. That's got me feeling really down, because I thought it was going well for a while.

Sorry for bothering you with this – I've got no one else to talk about this and I just needed to vent. You always seem to be so calm and in control; maybe you have some advice for me on how I can deal with these problems?

Thanks,
Leon

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CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDENCE II

ADV. 16.2. FAME AND FORTUNE