My previous two posts explored both an historical make up of stress as well as identifying our individual stress tolerance point. So now it's time we move more into the present. Obviously, the stress we experience today is vastly different than the stress our ancestors had to face. Our stress is associated more with psychological stress as opposed to the environmental or physical stressors of a previous time. Prior to the pandemic, The American Psychology Association routinely identified money (71%), work (69%), and the economy (59%) as the most commonly reported sources of stress. Some medical doctors even report 2/3’s of medical office visits are the result of stress.
If you do a Google search of stress management techniques, you will inevitable come up with hundreds of thousands of hits; each outlining the most effective tools for combating stress both proactively and reactively. The most important consideration regarding stress management tools is that your strategies need to be modified for you as an individual. There truly is no cookie cutter approach to managing stress that is 100% effective for all of us. In the same ways we each have distinct triggers and unique responses, we also fluctuate in what tools and strategies we find effective. So before you get carried away with the thousands of different ideas out there. Take some time to remember those times you were incredibly overwhelmed yet you successfully coped with and navigated through the demands. What strategies do you already practice to effectively manage stress? We all have some skills that work for us otherwise we’d exceed our stress tolerance point each and every day. So before you jump ahead to reinvent the wheel, reflect on what coping skills work for you and which ones need replacing or tweaking. Remember that as our lives change, so does the need for different coping skills. Strategies that worked in college or before you were a parent might no longer be effective for you. Don’t limit yourself but instead allow yourself to think outside the box and try something new. Remember that don’t have to reinvent the wheel, adjust what’s been effective in the past and learn from your mistakes. Past failures are really just growth opportunities (Cliché… Yes I know, but that doesn’t make it any less true).
If you’re still coming up empty handed or are looking for some fresher ideas to incorporate into your stress management toolbox: Here’s what you need to know:
Coping with stress is as much proactive as it is reactive meaning that you need to clearly know your tipping point and know when you are creeping upon it.
Cope with demands as they arise, don’t let them build up until you’re about tip.
The most obvious way to avoid stress and remain under this point is to avoid stressful environments or demands… however unfortunate it is, this is rarely practical. To deal with stress; address the stressful trigger directly: can it be changed? If the answer is no, then WE need to change or accept it.
Remember that all change is stressful (stress = ANY change) so whether positive or negative we still must cope.
There is a difference between internal and external coping skills:
External coping skills are the most widely used and referred to, these include things such as getting a good night sleep, eating for fuel and not for emotions, being active everyday, limited caffeine, laugh, plan ahead, and spend time with those make you feel good.
Internal coping skills may be more difficult but are also possibly more important. Examples of internal coping skills include
Release the belief that you are responsible for everyone and everything
Let go of perfectionism
Becoming comfortable accepting help
Focus on what’s important and let the rest take care of itself
Focus on what you can control
Chronic Stress occurs when stress goes unchecked and unmanaged. Chronic stress affects EVERY system of the body and can lead to countless health problems. Again, 2/3 of doctor visits are the result of stress! Watch out for stress headaches, it’s common for accumulating stress to start as a small headache. This level of stress can even start to feel normal however the more normal it becomes, the more likely it is you'll fail to notice the subtle signs your body is giving you that you're closing in on your tipping point (if not exceeding it).
More information to come in upcoming posts regarding techniques to complete the stress response cycle.
Until Next Time ~ Be Well