Behavior Modification to Handle Stress Effectively

Behavior Modification is making a conscious effort to alter your behaviors to reduce unwanted or unhealthy consequences, including stress.

Behavior is any action you do that is conscious or unconscious. For instance, you can consciously behave in a way that relieves your stress and improves your health. Though some people deal with situations in a way that increases their stress levels.

Managing behaviors is taking direct action behaviors and modifying them to reach a desired consequence or goal.

When the behavior modification model is applied to lifestyle and behavior changes it can lead to a balanced lifestyle and improved health. There are five steps to behavior modification, but some therapists believe that there are six steps with the first step being denial of any problem behavior.

To make any changes in your behavior follow the below modification steps in order:

#1. Be aware that you behave or think in a way that creates stress.

#2. Once you are aware you must realize/understand that changing a negative behavior will achieve a positive outcome. If you are unaware of the benefits, you are unlikely to want to make the effort to change.

#3. With the desire to change you can monitor your behavior and become aware of when you are doing the negative behavior, and then consider an alternative one.

#4. In order to make the change you must put in place and act on a new behavior that will bring about your required result.

#5. Then take time to evaluate how it worked. Did you achieve the outcome you desired?

Benefits of Learning Assertiveness Skills

Assertion training is taking into consideration your communication skills in relation to your health and well-being.

By applying assertiveness skills it can lead to positive changes in communication and relationships.

When you use effective communication you can resolve conflicts and defuse interpersonal problems easily.

* Overcome self-defeating behavior
* Handle criticism to maintain and enhance self-esteem
* Become a more effective listener
* State limits and expectations to clarify tasks
* Handle conflict, stress, and personal problems

Types of Behavior Modification

Time Management

Time Management is taking control of your life with by managing your activities so they are more balanced and you experience less stress. When you manage your time you reduce long-term stress and avoid the detrimental stress symptoms that follow.

How Does Time Impact on your Stress Levels?

Everyone perceives time differently. Whether you “don’t have time”, “need time”, are “using time” or trying to “save time”, “passing time”, the concept of time is affecting you.

Some people believe you must be “on time” for a meeting, some believe you should show up a couple minutes late to appear not rushed or needy. Different cultures and upbringings influence how we perceive and deal with time.

Problem Solving

Solving a problem is having the ability to take the necessary steps to solve the problem. In order for this to happen you must perceive yourself as being able to complete the behaviors it takes to cope effectively.

The problem is the “stressor”. And knowing how to solve a problem is having the knowledge and resources to “cope” with the stressor to bring about a positive consequence.

Anger Management

Reacting to situations with anger can create stress in our physical bodies as well as in our personal and social relationships.

Anger is not an effective solution.

When making changes in our lives we can seek to alter our beliefs and attitudes which it turn affects the way we behave or we can change our behaviors directly.

Behavior modification can help us understand our anger and offer alternative behaviors.

Behavior Modification to Stress Management Activity

Behavior Modification to Easy Stress Management