The term “stress” immediately gives rise to negative connotations. We
tend to think stress is bad. However, stress can be good. Stress can be
a motivator. It challenges us to excel and succeed. If we were never
challenged life would be boring. We would become complacent. In order
to grow and develop, we need a certain amount of pressure. We need the
opportunity to push up against something in order to reach new heights.
Sometimes that pressure comes from our internal strivings, while other
times its source is external. But whatever its source, pressure is
necessary for our growth and development.
Our response to stress is instinctive, and it kicks in when we are
threatened. This is called the fight/ flight instinct. It lets us know
when we are in danger and puts us on guard so that we can protect
ourselves either by fighting the threat or by fleeing from the threat.
Therefore, in certain situations stress can considered normal and
healthy. However, there is a very thin line between healthy and
unhealthy stress. Stress is good for you when it is propelling you
forward, encouraging you to push through perceived barriers to your own
success. Stress only becomes unhealthy when there is too much repeated
or prolonged stress or when the output required exceeds our current
resources. This can tip the very fine balance that exists and create a
negative downward spiral.
Our systems need to be kept in balance, in a state of homeostasis.
Therefore, when we are being pushed to further ourselves we need to
balance that with the appropriate care and nurturance. We need to keep
ourselves healthy so our bodies and minds have enough energy and
resources to cope with the added output needed during times of stress.
Just like a car needs petrol and servicing, if you continue to push
yourself to the limits and do not replenish yourself, your body takes
strain and eventually seizes up.
So, I see this as a scale that needs to be kept in balance in order to
stay healthy and function optimally. If you increase your stress levels
you need to balance that situation with more self-care. The more stress
or pressure you add, the more time and focus you need to give to your
well-being. If you allow your stress levels to mount without balancing
them with the appropriate self-care, the scales will tip totally out of
balance. You will see this reflected in your life as you start to feel
out of sorts, out of equilibrium, and unable to cope. Your life will
spin out of control. Once this happens, you may have very little inner
resources and energy left with which to rectify the balance. You may
find yourself getting physically ill or facing a major trauma like the
break up of your marriage.
Therefore, it is important to manage your stress levels carefully and
to become aware of how much stress is good for you and what you need to
do to keep yourself in equilibrium. You need to start recognizing the
signs telling you your stress levels are becoming too high.
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