English for PTA

Stress

Abbildung © Rich Legg / www.iStockphoto.com © Rich Legg / www.iStockphoto.com

We all experience stress at some time or other in our lives. When it becomes a way of life, it’s time to take a look at our daily routine.

Pharmacy customer: Hello. Do you speak English?

PTA: Yes, I do. How can I help you?

I was wondering if you could recommend something for my memory and for sleeplessness.

Do you have any other symptoms?

Such as?

Such as dizziness, nausea or rapid heartbeat. Or maybe digestive problems, “needing” coffee and caffeine beverages regularly to get through the day, that type of thing.

Oh yes, definitely! And I seem to get one cold after another! It’s very annoying, especially at the moment as we are trying to get things organised for the coming year, meeting deadlines, travelling here, there and everywhere!

It’s the same thing every year, isn’t it! Well, I could give you a gingko preparation for your memory problem and valerian to help you sleep but I think that your problems are caused by stress.

Stress? Really?

Yes, stress. And I don’t mean the type of stress that we all experience at this time of year. What I mean is the type of stress that, if left to continue, will cause other health problems far more serious than lack of concentration and sleeplessness. Stress is one of the major causes of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.

Well, I had heard that stress can be bad for you. What can I do to help?

Eating a well-balanced nutritious diet can help to build up the body, especially the immune system. Only a healthy body can cope with stress. Exercise plays a vital role in counteracting quite a lot of illnesses not just stress. Getting 30 minutes of exercise a few times a week is great for anyone suffering from stress and nervous tension.

So, your saying it’s just a matter of taking the time.

Not just that. Try and think of the four As: avoid, alter, adapt and accept.

How do I do that?

Avoid unnecessary stress situations. Learn to say “No”. Alter the situation that causes the stress. Again time management is vital in coping with stress: plan ahead so that you can at least alter the amount of stress. Adapt to the stress situation. If stress is getting to you, take time to reflect on what is causing the stress and then at all the positive things in your life, including your own personality. And accept, as in accepting the things that you cannot change. After all, we are not all supermen and superwomen! If you find that you can’t cope with the stress, share your problems, fears etc. with a close friend or your partner.

Thank you. I’ll think about it.

You’re welcome! Goodbye!

Bye, bye!

VOCABULARY
daily routine täglicher Ablauf
sleeplessness Schlaflosigkeit
dizziness Schwindel
nausea Übelkeit
beverages Getränke
annoying ärgerlich
preparation Präparat
valerian Baldrian
lack of Mangel an
underestimate unterschätzen
heart disease Herzerkrankung, Herzleiden
stroke Hirnschlag, Schlaganfall
well-balanced ausgewogen
nutritious nahrhaft
cope with bewältigen
counteracting entgegenwirken
tension Anspannung
avoid vermeiden
alter ändern
after all immerhin