Chapter 52. Questions to Increase Awareness: Instructions

This is an exercise designed to help you:

Recognize your feelings and relate them to your stress symptoms.

Accept your feelings, need for affection and your sexuality; and

Express these important aspects of your human nature appropriately.

Every time you become aware of being under stress, refer to Steps to Stress Reduction Text and Steps to Stress Reduction Graphic. You begin at the Starting Point. You may choose to remain there or go to Step 1, Recognition of Feelings. If you find yourself up against the Recognition / Acceptance Barrier, and unable to recognize how you feel, you will have automatically returned to The Starting Point. You probably need help to recognize your feelings so turn to Questions: Recognition of Feelings. These questions are similar to the ones a counselor might ask and they follow a definite "track" designed to help you recognize your feelings. Although you can simply ask yourself these questions and think of the answers, it is usually best to write your answers down.

Please answer every question even if you've done this exercise many times. You'll be amazed how your awareness increases each time you do the exercise. Be honest with yourself. No one will ever see your answers unless of course you choose to share them. If any of your answers embarrass you, feel free to destroy them but if at possible, save your answers by filing them somewhere. If you do this each time you are under stress, it will be easier to relate your unresolved feelings to your stress symptoms.

Follow this procedure for "Questions: Acceptance of Feelings", "Questions: Expression of Feelings", and "Questions: Affection". You'll find these questions to be of great value in helping you through the Steps to Honesty in Communication.

Next: Questions to Increase Awareness: Recognition of Feelings

 

Stress Reduction Through Honesty in Communication by John Twelker Copyright 1986, John Twelker Enterprises, Inc.