The nature of stress.

[Laharl]

A lot of people think stress is caused by the environment or situations or stuff along those lines. For example, they say a person that has an exam the next day will feel a certain amount of stress about it, or rather, that person at the very least will say the test the next day is causing them stress.

It's not true.

Stress is ENTIRELY fabricated in our minds. The test the next day could be a reason to GET stressed, but it doesn't mean you have to feel it.

Basically, a person can look at the exact same situation and feel two compltely different things. Let's look at an example of hurricane Katrina victims. Let's say we've got two guys, both of whom had their house completely destroyed, and were reunited with their families after a few weeks. One guy might think his life sucks because he's got nothing left, and the other guy will think it's the best day of his life because he knows his family is still alive.

I noticed in the suicide thread, some folks were saying that some people cannot help but think about certain things. That's a lie psychology fell on because it'd be an excuse and therefore makes it okay to feel helpless. If you wrap your mind around a negative thought, your thinking will be poisoned. Everything you think while in a stressful state isn't necissarily the truth, and once you recognize you're in a state of stress and trying to solve a problem, step back from the situation for a little bit. Clear your head. It's not always easy, but the principle is very simple.

I learned all this stuff when I was up in Washington last week, btw, and just felt like posting it.

[GuidoHunter]

It's amazing how few people realize this and how amazing it is to understand it and therefore avoid negative stress altogether.

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

[msbrunnettemickey]

People get stressed from everything these days...
There is this HUGE list.
But i think most of it comes from Education, Jobs, Money, and relationships.

[The_Q]

People get stressed from everything these days...
There is this HUGE list.
But i think most of it comes from Education, Jobs, Money, and relationships.

I think it's more that people choose to be stressed than anything, Mickey. They look at a situation and either choose to feel depressed, panicked, relieved or anything of the sort. I, personally, try to make myself stressed in order to get certain tasks done by deadline. If I feel rushed I tend to work faster and much more comfortably.

Which brings up another point. There is this thing called eustress. It literally means "good stress." It's the kind of stess people put on themselves and enjoy, much like my "auto-panic" stress that helps me focus. People enjoy certain types of stress.

Q

[Reach]

Wow, some people other than me actually understand this. You have more control over your mind than we tend to think.

[msbrunnettemickey]

That's actually very right...
I tend to study more when i am stressed about tests.
And do more then i am supposed to do for projects.
I even stress myself about goals.
Lot's of control over your mind.

[Reach]

My performance drops dramatically when under stress. So I tend to avoid stress like the plague. My mind needs to be perfectly calm to work efficiently and do my best. Everyones different though. Finding what works for you personally is the key.

[Jam930]

I can't stand people who are never stressed.

They live their lives without passion.


"My house was just destroyed... but I'll see this positively because my family is still alive!!"

"My family was just killed... but I'll see this positively because my house is perfectly fine!!"

[Cenright]

I don't get test anxiety. It is kinda sad how it will be just your boring Standardized Testing that is done each year, and people can't even handle those without stressing out.

I like thinking of the power of the good ol' Placebo pill at a time like this. It is the strongest pain killer, confidence builder, wound healer, stress stopper, and many more things. And yet... It works.

[Reach]

What does stress have to do with passion? That's an awfully bold assumption. I take passion and enthusiasm in life and the things I do, and I'm rarely stressed. It's kind of hard to never be stressed though, because shit happens. I love getting up and being happy as hell to live another good, hopefully stress free day. People that are always stressed are always causing shit that could be easily avoided or turning little things into a big deal.

[iggymatrixcounter]

Originally Posted by Reach

My performance drops dramatically when under stress. So I tend to avoid stress like the plague. My mind needs to be perfectly calm to work efficiently and do my best. Everyones different though. Finding what works for you personally is the key.

[-Skooter-]

I like this post, it's a very realistic perspective, and a good one at that.

[Jam930]

Originally Posted by Reach

What does stress have to do with passion? That's an awfully bold assumption. I take passion and enthusiasm in life and the things I do, and I'm rarely stressed. It's kind of hard to never be stressed though, because (#$% happens. I love getting up and being happy as hell to live another good, hopefully stress free day. People that are always stressed are always causing (#$% that could be easily avoided or turning little things into a big deal.

...good point.

sorry

[jamuko]

My psychology professor teaches an entire course on stress and its management. Kind of interesting...

Personally, I don't think I get stressed enough. >_>; It's nice to be laid-back about everything, but it's awfully hard to get myself motivated sometimes.

[LEGO]

Guys, there is a fine line between not being stressed out over something [important] and being apathetic.