WHAT IS STRESS?
Posted by
admin 18 September, 2008
(1) Comment
Stress evolves when we must do something that we are not able and/or willing to do.
In a work context, this is related to the appropriateness of the work and its environment; that is, the degree to which they allow us to attend to the work and be involved in the work. In everyday practice, this appropriateness is a kind of middle zone. In general, it can be stated that a work environment that makes it too hard to keep our attention to the work leads to stress. The middle zone of the work itself can be described as an appropriate degree of challenge.
Work that becomes too challenging demands more knowledge, skills and abilities than we can mobilise. It becomes impossible to deal with the task in a systematic and orderly way. Chaos takes over, our involvement vanishes and task performance breaks down. As we lose control over our task performance, having to perform the task anyhow then becomes a serious stress source. This activates a primordial response pattern, which is only appropriate in situations that quickly demand intensive bodily activity, for examples in situations of life or death. In situations of a different kind, it can activate a lengthy vicious cycle, which affects our effectiveness, motivation and creativity. It can also isolate us and violate our well-being and health.
On the other hand, work that offers too little challenge to keep us involved, while we must do it anyhow, demands from us that we force ourselves to stay involved. This soon becomes very tiring and we can go on in this way only for a limited time. Our attention wanders. We become bored and drowsy, and sometimes somewhat irritated. The work becomes less and less manageable, and this too can give rise to stress.
Categories : Emotional Health, Mood Disorders
We Have the Power
Posted by
admin 5 August, 2008
(0) Comment
One of the truly positive aspects of growing older is the wisdom and serenity it can bring to our lives. And with that wisdom and serenity comes the power and knowledge to ensure that the choices we make have our best interests at heart. When we are young we are reckless, taking our health for granted, burning the candle at both ends, and making decisions that we later come to regret. We also feel that we have all the time in the world. When we reach our thirties, forties, and beyond, we realize that time is both precious and finite.We are now ready to take better control of our lives and focus on meaningful goals that are beneficial and for the long term.
Stress is very physical in its many manifestations, and what is described here is no doubt just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.We have learned just how “wholistic” stress and negative emotion are—leaving no part of the body untouched. But we are not helpless, defenseless beings, subject to the whims and caprices of the world, slaves to mental and emotional stress.We have many teachers willing to provide the tools we need to maximize our physical and mental potential. Most of all, we need to realize and accept that we are powerful entities with great abilities to both create and destroy ourselves, our realities, and our universe. If the negative states of mind can do this much harm, might not learning how to destress and concentrate on positive thoughts and emotions be capable of producing even greater benefits? If this is true, and it is, then it stands to reason that reducing stress and learning to focus on positive emotions must hold the key to a brighter, happier, and healthier future for us all. It is up to us to light the way for the generations following in our footsteps.
Categories : Tips and Advices
