Stress! And How to Deal With It Effectively

Stress!
And How to Deal With It Effectively

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What is Stress?
“Why do you ask?”
Because, if you don’t know what
stress is, it’s hard to manage.

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What Stress isn’t…
When asked to define stress, most
folks describe events -
like tests, finances, people who
bother them, etc.
But, that doesn’t really define
stress
at a basic level.

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Here’s the Official Definition:
(are you ready for this?)
Stress is the non-specific response
of the body to any perceived
demand.
“Uh-huh. Can I go home now?”

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That Non-Specific Response:
• Your heart beats faster
• You breathe faster
• You feel an adrenaline rush
• Your muscles tighten up
• Blood moves from the center of your body
to your limbs
• Your pupils dilate

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“When Does That Response Happen?”
Every time your body perceives a demand
Sometimes it’s a small response (like when
you open your eyes in the morning)
Sometimes it’s a big response (like when you
realize you’re about to get hit by a car)

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“So I’m OK because I can handle each little thing.”
Well, not necessarily. Small stress responses can be additive
– that is, if a lot of little things are happening at the same
time, you may feel a great deal of demand at that particular
moment.
“Like having three tests, no time to study, having deadlines
at work, needing to get to soccer practice, having a fight
with my boyfriend,my parents are coming up to visit, and
not having enough money to get by?”
That would be a good example.

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“But I heard stress can be good for
you.”
You know that saying “Everything in moderation”?
It turns out that each of us has a level of stress that is
optimal for us. That is, at that particular level, we
work most efficiently and feel good.
“I hear a “but” coming…”

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And here it is….
Most people find that too much or too little stress hinders
their performance and their sense of well-being.
Too little stress = bored, unmotivated
Too much stress = overwhelmed, fearful, frozen
Moderate stress = energized, on-task, efficient

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“OK, so how do I get in ‘the zone’?”
We’ll actually look at that in a bit, but first
you need to know that the zone may change.
“This is getting complicated.”
Check out the next page.

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