Sometimes being stressed out forces you to focus on the challenges of your marriage, remain in a job that pays the bills but is unfulfilling and makes you feel incredibly overwhelmed, strung out and unable to concentrate. While stress affects everyone in different ways, two major types of stress exist: stress that is beneficial and motivating — good stress — and stress that causes anxiety and health problems — bad stress.
However, bad stress doesn’t have to remain bad. It can be manipulated based on perception. Notice it and manage thoughts so you can redirect the strain and stress into a new action. Stress and stagnation can be a potent and dangerous cocktail if unsupervised. Moving from a state of bad stress to good sress is a discipline that, if practiced regularly, can be used effectively to make positive changes in your life.
According to experts, stress is a burst of energy that basically advises you on what to do. In small doses, stress has many advantages. For instance, stress can help you meet daily challenges and motivate you to reach your goals. In fact, stress can help you accomplish tasks more efficiently. It can even boost memory.
Stress is also a vital warning system, producing the fight-or-flight response. When the brain perceives some kind of stress, it starts flooding the body with chemicals like epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol. This creates a variety of reactions such as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Suddenly, the senses have a laser-like focus to help you deal with physically stressful situations such as jumping out of the path of a moving car to safety.
Taking chances, taking risks and changing aspects of your life can transform bad stress into good stress. Facing your fears and staring your stress in the face can be a motivator to make change. Take note of the benefits of stress and redirect your thoughts towards change rather then stagnation.
Karen Keskinen is a certified Life Coach at SAGE Wellness. Try a 60-minute, free initial consultation to plan your coaching sessions to transform your stress and make change and decisions happen. Karen has space for new clients. SAGE is located on the third floor of 340 Gladstone Avenue (above Rama Lotus). 613 235-7243 www.sagewellness.ca
