Your score between 45–60 points
Your score indicates that you cope with pressure extremely well.You are likely to be thought of by others as someone who is extremely laid back and almost totally relaxed, and you are able to keep things in proportion almost at all times.
The only word of caution about being in the fortunate position of having this temperament and attitude is that you should still be prepared for potentially pressurising situations which inevitably will occur.You should, in other words, have the ability to plan for pressures and build in a leeway for the unexpected.
It is also worth remembering that a certain amount of tension is positive since people do respond to, and are encouraged by, challenges.
Your score between 31–44 points
While you do find yourself pressurised and stressed out on occasions, this tends to be the exception rather than the rule, and, more importantly, such situations are never long-lasting.
As a result, you are able to switch off somewhat where necessary and not push yourself too far.
You appear to be in the fortunate position of being able to look after yourself when you are facing pressure and you have the ability to say no if someone is making unreasonable demands.
Your score Less than 30 points
Your score indicates that you are affected by pressure in a negative way.
Since society’s code of conduct prevents many of the natural ways to release pent-up emotions such as by violent means or by running away from the situation, pressure can, therefore, build up inside you and this is when you are at your most vulnerable to stress.
It is at these times that you may have a tendency to build things up in your own mind out of all proportion. However, it is worth remembering that most of the things that we worry about never happen, that most of the pressures which build up are short-term events and that if we deal with these pressures in a measured and structured way, thenwe should not be affected by them quite so badly. After all, these types of pressures are not restricted to just ourselves, they are the same pressures that are felt, at some time, by all people throughout the world.
You should also be conscious of the fact that pressure does lead to stress and many illnesses are stress related.
It is, therefore, essential that in pressurised situations you try to take one step back and reflect on your current situation, and your life in general and the positive things ^ there will be many ^ that exist and are occurring.
In general, try to develop a more positive attitude when dealing with what are termed modern-day pressures, but are, in fact, the same pressures which have always existed in some form for past generations. In fact, modern research should enable us to cope with these pressures better thanwe ever did in the past. At least now we recognise the danger of such situations.
Such a positive approach may include analysing and recognising the cause or causes of the pressure, your reactions to this pressure and How well do you cope under pressure? 17 your ways of coping with the pressure. It may also include changing your way of thinking about the pressure, improving the way you do things, for example, in a work situation, and knowing the best source of help and the right people to talk to when necessary.
It is also essential that you look after yourself when facing pressure, not just for your ownwell-being but for the benefit of those closest to you.This can be achieved in several ways, for example:
– As well as doing the things that are absolutely necessary, do the fun things that you and those close to you most enjoy
– Try not to be too self-critical, since we all make mistakes
– Give yourself a break
– Try to relax and sleep more
Keep yourself fit
– Eat and drink sensibly
– Cultivate other interests
