
THE SELF-HEALTH SYSTEMS PROGRAM

This system is designed to be self-contained and teaches you how to
regulate stress levels.  The computer adds to the power and effectiveness
of the program by doing some of the important things another person might
do such as providing you with information and feedback .

The Self-Health Systems Stress Management Program involves working your
way through six phases or steps of learning.

Step 1 - ASSESS YOUR STRESS LEVEL.  People differ in the amount of stress
they have and the ways in which the stress manifests itself.  An effective
stress management program takes these differences into account.  So the
first step is to take a test which evaluates your stress level and stress
pattern.

Step 2 - IDENTIFY YOUR STRESSORS.  Stressors are events that induce a
stressful state.  People differ in what constitutes stressors and in how
stressful they are.  As in Step 1 an effective stress management program
takes these differences into account.  The second step in this program is
an identification of your stressors.

Step 3 - ESTABLISH STRESSOR BASELINES.  In order for you to determine the
effectiveness of your stress management program you need to know the level
of stressfulness of each stressor at the start of the program.  Step 3
asks you to evaluate the stressor level for one week to establish a
baseline before beginning the program.

Step 4 - LEARN THE RELAXATION SKILLS.  Managing the stress implies that
you can reduce the arousal level even when in the presence of the
stressors.  The three cassette tapes in the relaxation module are designed
to teach you three specific relaxation skills which form the basis of the
stress management program.  Step 4 is to spend at least one week working
with each of these tapes until you have overlearned the skill it teaches
and can readily use it.

Step 5 - RECORD AND MONITOR THE CHANGES IN YOUR STRESS LEVEL.  During the
time you are learning the relaxation skills and as you apply these
relaxation skills to stressor situations it is important to keep track of
your progress and difficulties.  Step 5 is to monitor your stress levels
on a daily basis and record your observations in the stress management
program.

Step 6 - GENERALIZING YOUR SKILLS.   Apply the relaxation skills to your
thoughts and images about the stressors to reduce their impact.  As you
master old stressors you will find new ones to be managed.  Step 6 is to
apply the skills you have learned to new stressor situations.

To achieve these steps the program includes three components:

* THE COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION AND CONTROL SYSTEM

The computerized information and control system sub-components provide a
system for managing the development of your stress coping skills.  These
sub-components are:

(A)  A stress test designed to measure and analyze your overall stress
level.

(B)  A method for identifying your stressors and assessing their intensity
levels.

(C)  A display system for showing trends over time in stress levels for
different stressors.


* THE RELAXATION CASSETTE TAPES.


The sub-components of the tape system are three cassette tapes.  These
tapes help you to develop and integrate the skills to maintain a state of
relaxation necessary to counter the effects of stress. The three tapes
are:

(A)  Respiration training.

(B)  Muscle relaxation.

(C)  Autogenic training


*  THE SELF-HEALTH MANUAL

You CANNOT utilize this software without the manual.  The manual contains
detailed and important instructions for you to follow.


