LOSE YOUR LOVE OF STRESS
What do you do when someone tells you how stressed or busy they are? More than likely, you compete. “You think you’re stressed! You have no idea what stress looks like. Let me tell you about my week!”
For many of us, stress is a badge of honor; a signal to ourselves and others about how significant and essential we are. But stress has numerous negative consequences for us – physically, mentally and emotionally – as well as a poor impact on those around us.
When you stress, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of adrenaline and cortisol into your body, the long-term effects of which can be very harmful.
Mentally, stress shuts down many of your critical faculties. You will struggle to access your insights, experience and wisdom, so it’s hard to make good decisions and solve complex problems.
Stress leads to anxiety and anxiety is contagious, so the impact of your stress will negatively affect those around you. This is particularly significant if you lead others. Think about it; who should be in charge? A tense, stressed-out individual, or someone who is calm and considered?
Every way you look at it, chronic stress has negative consequences for you, and others. Wearing it as a badge of honor makes no sense.
INSPIRATION FROM OTHERS
“When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?” – Sydney Harris
“I’ve tried yoga, but I find stress less boring.” – Anonymous
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON
- Do you wear stress as a badge of honor?
- Who would you be if you weren’t busy and stressed out?
- Where are the opportunities to reduce stress in your life?
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