While a certain amount of stress can be a good thing (i.e. Project deadline, work promotion) too much stress can compromise your immune system and leave you feeling drained and unmotivated. How then do you find a happy medium? Individuals differ on stress management so to say there's a tried and true exact would be nothing short of a lie.
The stress response is a normal physiological response to elements within our environment. When working correctly it can be a positive that drives us to success or reacts in a time of need to help others (i.e. Car accident). Too much stress,however, is damaging to your health, mood, relationships and motivation all of which reduce the quality of life.
Take a second to write down your daily stresses: go ahead you'll be glad you did! Your list probably looks something like this.
- Work deadline
- kids
- overwhelming to-do list
- relationships (husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, friends, co-workers)
- commuting
- events
This load alone is enough to create an unhealthy level of stress without adding the daily stress of work, prepping food and all the other daily stresses. The culmination of all these stresses is enough to lead to an unhealthily level of stress.
Recognizing the good versus the bad can be key to keeping a healthy balance in your life.
Good:
- is infrequent
- is short in duration (i.e. Exercise lasting 15-50mins)
- leads to a better version of yourself
- leaves you feeling inspired and motivated
- leads to a reduction in bad stress (i.e. Blood pressure/cholesterol)
Bad:
- lasts a long time
- is de-motivating
- is chronic
- does not leave you feeling motivated and inspired
- creates a "bad" physiological response
- leaves you worse off than before
One of the best ways to determine the good from the bad is how long/well do you recover from it?
Stress affects every aspect of being (mind,body and soul). No two people handle stress the same way. A number of variables can impact your "recovery" from stress.
- Glass half full: having a glass half full attitude makes you more resistant to the effects of stress. Accepting the challenge will reduce the amount of time it takes to recover from whatever life may throw at you.
- All too often: the amount of stress you face on a day to day basis can build up leading to a breaking point.
- Got genes? Some of us are just more genetically prone to "deal with" or "crater under" the stresses that we face.
- Are you in control? Stress signals our flight or fight response so as you can imagine when we feel trapped the stress that is trapping us can become or feel overwhelming.
Handling your stress:
We all have different ways of coping with the daily or periodic stresses we face. Here are a few of the things that I do personally to help me deal with stress whether daily or overwhelming.
- listen to soothing music
- unplug from electronics
- take 5 deep breaths eyes closed and present for each one
- head outdoors (hiking,playing with my kids, riding horses, running, biking)
- exercise (duh)
- build something
- give/get a hug
- stretching/foam rolling
Finding a balance that works for you is the most important part when dealing with stress. Find what works for you and add it to your routine religiously. For some this may be drinking green tea or meditation.
Take Away:
While mentally we may be able to differentiate between stress stimulus our body can not. All stress affects our body the same way good or bad. How you react to stress is what makes the difference. We are in control of our attitudes and the way we choose to react. Instead of stressing about stress view it as a challenge, be open to change, stay flexible, have a plan b, but most of all try to view it in a positive light.
References:
K. Scott-Dixon, B. St.Pierre. Good stress, bad stress: Finding your sweet spot. Retrieved from http://www.precisionnutrition.com/good-stress-bad-stress
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