It seems that every article you read about stress is about how to reduce it. Why? What is wrong with a little stress? Let’s not worry about how to reduce stress, but rather how to utilize it.
Stress can be a powerful motivator for change. If you’re stressed out at work, perhaps it’s time to find a new job or career. If the clutter at home is stressing you out, perhaps it’s time to go embrace minimalism.
The point is, change would not occur if something did not trigger it.
One Christmas when my kids were small, I was stressing out about all that had to get done and bemoaning sending out Christmas cards: writing a personal message on each, addressing, making sure everyone got one, … My husband looked up from the TV and said “So don’t send them.” I wanted to argue with him, but then realized that the recipients most likely would not care or would at least understand, so I didn’t send them. That was 20 years ago. I still don’t send them, but now it is more of an environmental statement. The stress produced change.
Stress is a choice. Simon Sinek a speaker and author, believes that Nervous is just a different interpretation of Excited. He cites watching news interviews at an Olympic Games some years ago and the reporters asking the same question of the athletes, “Were you nervous?”. Most replied no, I was excited for the opportunity. So, they interpreted the stressor differently and turned it into positive fuel.
Stress is a perspective. Someone is always worse off. The air conditioning isn’t working, the washing machine is on the fritz, the dog had an accident in the house. All can cause stress, but in the grand scheme of things does it matter? My hometown of Linwood, Kansas was recently hit by an EF4 tornado. Homes and farms were obliterated. My friends have no air conditioning, no washing machine and they are just thankful the dog is safe.
So, when we feel like the world is caving in around us. How do we cope? We cope by tackling one issue at a time. What is causing the largest amount of stress in your life? Identify that, then ask what can be done about it? If Sunday afternoon rolls around and you feel your anxiety level rising and you can’t sleep, are you dreading going to work on Monday? If so, why? If the why behind the stress is something you can change, work on that. Talk to your boss and co-workers to see if there is a solution that will help you (and most likely others) enjoy work again.
You may however find that you cannot do anything about the stress. That there is nothing you can do to change the situation. So, then you have a decision to make: Live with it or move on. Remember stress causes change. Perhaps the change you need is a new workplace.
Once you tackle the largest stressor, identify the next and keep going until you find yourself at a level that equates to peace and calm. Stress is an indicator that you are out of balance. So, choose to stay out of balance or to use the stress to make the necessary changes in your life.
By: Kerry Chaffin, Trainer and Consultant