Managing Stress for Success

How much would you have in your piggy bank if everyone who says they are stressed gave you a dollar? I was stressed just before many of my exams in school. I get stressed many times when I have to step out of my comfort zone. I was stressed out just before I started writing this article, wondering how I was going to explain stress. Ok, that is four dollars for your piggy bank (just from me!). Stress is all around us yet so few of us understand it or have developed coping strategies. I hope to inspire you to better cope with stress in your life.

What is Stress?

Stress is the consequence of the ability of the human body to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats whether real or imagined. When something happens to us, or threatens to happen, we quickly assess it in our minds to determine if we have the skill to handle the situation. If we decide that we do not have the skill set required, we label the situation as “stressful”. If we are confident that we have the ability to deal with that situation, we don’t think of it as being “stressful”.

Stress can be caused by lack of control over one’s environment e.g. lack of food, housing, good health, freedom or mobility. Social issues such as deception, break ups, deaths, marriage and divorce can also cause stress. Other causes of stress include poverty, unemployment, depression, exams, sleep disorders, and project deadlines.

Signs of Stress

• Seeing only the negative in situations – a general disposition to look on the dark side and to expect the worst in all things.
• Anxious or racing thoughts – a feeling of mild anxiety about possible developments.
• Moodiness – having temperamental and changeable moods
• Irritability or short temper – abnormally sensitive, easily irritated or annoyed.
• Agitation, inability to relax – a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance.
• Feeling overwhelmed – feeling like you are overpowered emotionally.
• Sense of loneliness and isolation – a powerful feeling of emptiness. Isolating yourself from others.
• Depression, general unhappiness, sadness, sorrow or discontentment.
• Eating more or less – Eating disorders can be a sign of stress.
• Sleeping too much or too little – Sleep disorders can be a sign of stress.
• Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities because of fear of outcomes.
• Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
• Nervousness – having an expectant void or ‘hollow feeling in the stomach’ plus the mental image of ‘will it go right’. Sometimes characterized by nail biting and pacing around.

Stress Tolerance Level

The following factors influence your tolerance for stress.

• Your support network – A strong network of supportive friends and family members is an enormous buffer against life’s stressors. On the flip side, the more lonely and isolated you are, the greater your vulnerability to stress.
• Your sense of control – If you have confidence in yourself and your ability to influence events and persevere through challenges, it’s easier to take stress in stride.
• Your attitude and outlook – Stress-hardy people have an optimistic attitude. They tend to embrace challenges, have a strong sense of humor, accept that change is a part of life, and believe in a higher power or purpose.
• Your ability to deal with your emotions. You’re extremely vulnerable to stress if you don’t know how to calm and soothe yourself when you’re feeling sad, angry, or afraid.
• Your knowledge and preparation – The more you know about a stressful situation, including how long it will last and what to expect, the easier it is to cope. For example, if you go into surgery with a realistic picture of what to expect post-op, a painful recovery will be less traumatic than if you were expecting to bounce back immediately. (Source)

Stress & Success

Stress results from the imbalance between demands and resources. It occurs when a person doubts his or her ability to cope. Stress is not a direct response to a stressor but rather one’s resources and ability to cope. Developing the ability to cope with situations leads to both success and reduced stress.

• Health and Wellness - What we eat affects how we feel and think. Eating foods high in saturated fats, cholesterol and sugar leads to digestion problems, inability to concentrate and other stress symptoms that hinder our ability to succeed. Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol. Eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, protein and grain, and drink at least six glasses of water to stay in top physical form. Regular exercise reduces stress as well.

• Work & Career- Workplace stress is the harmful physical and emotional responses that can happen when there is a conflict between job demands on the employee and the amount of control an employee has over meeting these demands. You can reduce work place stress by finding a satisfying job that is in line with your passion and abilities. Preparation and managing expectations can also help reduce career stress.

• Financial Freedom- Lack of or fear of earning potential in an uncertain economy can lead to stress. Fear of losing a job or not being able to service your loan can also lead to stress. Gain knowledge on how to gain financial freedom by reading and consulting with experts. Remember to plan ahead and let the power of compounding work in your favor.

• Home & Family- Family situations such as deaths, births, reunions, conflict, marriage and divorce can lead to stress. It is best to have a loving attitude and a big heart to accommodate the views of others in the family. Working towards a good family and home life can reduce stress and serve as a buffer to stress caused by other areas of life.

• Mental & Emotions- Success or failure is all in the mind. You should develop a positive attitude to help you cope with stress. Believing in yourself and your abilities can help you deal with the toughest of situations. Negative self talk leads to self sabotage and causes stress. You should seek to speak positive and empowering words to yourself and to others.

Summary

Stress occurs when a person doubts his or her ability to cope. A positive mental attitude and positive self talk can help in coping with stress.

Stress affects our level of success especially when it leads to procrastination and inaction. We should seek to develop a high tolerance to stressful situations. Preparation and gaining knowledge can help in dealing with stress. The more you know about a stressful situation, including how long it will last and what to expect, the easier it is to cope.

Eating right and regular exercise also helps in reducing stress. The ability to bring your emotions into balance helps you bounce back from adversity. Always believe in yourself.

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