Stress in the workplace: The good, the bad and the ugly
San Antonio Business Journal
by Paul A. Parks
We all know them -- people who genuinely thrive on stress, managing to retain their creativity and drive. At times, they can be incredible leaders and help people tackle huge challenges. They can also tax their organizations to the point that others within their realm of influence become overwhelmed by the environment.
A certain amount of stress can be beneficial. It can sharpen our thinking; motivate us to action; cause us to search for new understanding as we try to resolve the issues that cause us stress. But too much -- even to stress addicts -- can be hazardous to our health, hindering our ability to think, act and be creative.
Are you addicted to stress? Or do you know someone who is? There is a way out.
Step One: Getting a clear assessment of the nature of the addiction. What are you addicted to? Is it just stress or are there other issues at hand such as health issues? We must begin to understand all elements that can exacerbate the situation. That can be harder than it looks. How we think about stress is impacted by thoughts, both conscious and unconscious. It's hard to change what we can't identify. Your best information might well come from the people around you. They often will have a much clearer, less skewed point of view.
For example: Many people try to manage stress by working harder, believing that once they get through "this" -- whatever "this" is -- everything else will be fine. However, we all know we'll likely never get to a point where we don't have problems ever again. What we don't realize is the secondary gain that comes out of the myth. Our culture appreciates and values people who are working hard under great adversity. You may not realize one of the elements of the addiction is the fear of losing the admiration of others.
Step Two: Surround yourself with people who are trying to get better. The changes you will have to make are big, and it can be beneficial to be with other people who are also trying to make those changes and people who have been successful at making those changes. There is a tendency for stress addicts to surround themselves with lots of people who are similar. Without realizing it, such grouping can set a destructive benchmark. As long as we are around others who have problems worse than our own, we can maintain the denial of our own problem. Put yourself in an environment where there is an emphasis on health and function.
Step Three: Manage the stress. Overcoming addiction to stress is a lifelong endeavor to change how you react to your environment. It is a task.
Think. Make a list of things that you are more likely to do when you are under stress -- but would rather not do. It might include being snappish, drinking, stopping exercise, overeating or making snap decisions. You most likely will not be able to come up with the list when you are stressed -- so go ahead and make the list now. When you start feeling stressed, read through your list as a reminder of behaviors to avoid. Develop alternative ways to address these stresses and behaviors; then intentionally practice these methods.
Accept. There are three common ways to move beyond stress. You can remove yourself from the situation. You can make an effort to change the situation. Or you can accept it and find ways to effectively live with it. Acceptance is an action requiring strength -- it is not a sign of weakness or simple resignation. At some level, such surrender might be all you need. Struggling against the stress can increase it. This is especially true for individuals who simply cannot let stress roll off their backs.
Shift. You are empowered, even when you feel least like it. You can't help feeling the stress, but you can develop the ability to make decisions about what you do about it. It's a bigger paradigm shift than you may realize. Finding support and accountability in a group can be particularly helpful.
Comply. It's most likely you've already heard all the tips and techniques to reduce and manage stress. Lack of education is not the issue. The issue is that we seldom practice what we know. And often, what we do practice, we don't stick to. Remember Mark Twain's famous statement: "To cease smoking is the easiest thing I ever did. I ought to know because I've done it a thousand times."
Step Four: Remember to breathe. Every so often, ask yourself, "How am I doing right now? How is my body feeling? Are my shoulders pulled up?" Far too often, we are like lobsters in boiling water. We don't realize the stress in our bodies until it is too late. Make an intentional effort to relax, release the tension and breathe.
San Antonio Business Journal
by Paul A. Parks
We all know them -- people who genuinely thrive on stress, managing to retain their creativity and drive. At times, they can be incredible leaders and help people tackle huge challenges. They can also tax their organizations to the point that others within their realm of influence become overwhelmed by the environment.
A certain amount of stress can be beneficial. It can sharpen our thinking; motivate us to action; cause us to search for new understanding as we try to resolve the issues that cause us stress. But too much -- even to stress addicts -- can be hazardous to our health, hindering our ability to think, act and be creative.
Are you addicted to stress? Or do you know someone who is? There is a way out.
Step One: Getting a clear assessment of the nature of the addiction. What are you addicted to? Is it just stress or are there other issues at hand such as health issues? We must begin to understand all elements that can exacerbate the situation. That can be harder than it looks. How we think about stress is impacted by thoughts, both conscious and unconscious. It's hard to change what we can't identify. Your best information might well come from the people around you. They often will have a much clearer, less skewed point of view.
For example: Many people try to manage stress by working harder, believing that once they get through "this" -- whatever "this" is -- everything else will be fine. However, we all know we'll likely never get to a point where we don't have problems ever again. What we don't realize is the secondary gain that comes out of the myth. Our culture appreciates and values people who are working hard under great adversity. You may not realize one of the elements of the addiction is the fear of losing the admiration of others.
Step Two: Surround yourself with people who are trying to get better. The changes you will have to make are big, and it can be beneficial to be with other people who are also trying to make those changes and people who have been successful at making those changes. There is a tendency for stress addicts to surround themselves with lots of people who are similar. Without realizing it, such grouping can set a destructive benchmark. As long as we are around others who have problems worse than our own, we can maintain the denial of our own problem. Put yourself in an environment where there is an emphasis on health and function.
Step Three: Manage the stress. Overcoming addiction to stress is a lifelong endeavor to change how you react to your environment. It is a task.
Think. Make a list of things that you are more likely to do when you are under stress -- but would rather not do. It might include being snappish, drinking, stopping exercise, overeating or making snap decisions. You most likely will not be able to come up with the list when you are stressed -- so go ahead and make the list now. When you start feeling stressed, read through your list as a reminder of behaviors to avoid. Develop alternative ways to address these stresses and behaviors; then intentionally practice these methods.
Accept. There are three common ways to move beyond stress. You can remove yourself from the situation. You can make an effort to change the situation. Or you can accept it and find ways to effectively live with it. Acceptance is an action requiring strength -- it is not a sign of weakness or simple resignation. At some level, such surrender might be all you need. Struggling against the stress can increase it. This is especially true for individuals who simply cannot let stress roll off their backs.
Shift. You are empowered, even when you feel least like it. You can't help feeling the stress, but you can develop the ability to make decisions about what you do about it. It's a bigger paradigm shift than you may realize. Finding support and accountability in a group can be particularly helpful.
Comply. It's most likely you've already heard all the tips and techniques to reduce and manage stress. Lack of education is not the issue. The issue is that we seldom practice what we know. And often, what we do practice, we don't stick to. Remember Mark Twain's famous statement: "To cease smoking is the easiest thing I ever did. I ought to know because I've done it a thousand times."
Step Four: Remember to breathe. Every so often, ask yourself, "How am I doing right now? How is my body feeling? Are my shoulders pulled up?" Far too often, we are like lobsters in boiling water. We don't realize the stress in our bodies until it is too late. Make an intentional effort to relax, release the tension and breathe.
