Stress is one of the leading causes of many major health problems facing us today. It is important to recognize the difference between healthy and dangerous levels of stress.
Enjoying Positive Stress
This is stage one. This level of stress is the healthiest and the stage at which one should strive to remain. One's mood is great; energy level is high; and tasks are accomplished with a dedicated amount of enthusiasm. The stress felt provides motivation rather than discouragement. If the work day starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m., one is happy to be there at 8:30 a.m. and leave at 5:30 p.m.
Stress Warning Signs
In stage two, energy and enthusiasm levels have decreased. Feelings of exhaustion are not overwhelming, but neither is creativity. The work that one is doing is of lesser quality and more difficult to complete. One or a few easy-to-incorporate stress relief techniques could be of considerable assistance. At this point, a happy start time for the day is 9:00 a.m. and end time is 5:00 p.m.
During stage three, recognizable symptoms of unhealthy stress levels begin to arise. Headaches, difficulty sleeping, boredom, unwarranted anxiety or worry, and edginess are a few warning signs that stress level is becoming an problem. On Sunday night, Monday morning begins to seem dreadful.
Burnout Caused by Stress
If one is experiencing stage four levels of stress, one is in serious trouble. Rather than feeling tired, exhaustion is typical: both physically and emotionally. Common physical symptoms include experiencing skin irritations, dizziness, and episodes of an increased heart rate. Things that may have previously been annoying, will now cause considerable anger. Waking up Monday morning, one will be just as tired as he/she was going to sleep Sunday night.
At stage five, levels of stress become critical. Frustration, dissatisfaction, and depression are constant. A visit to the doctor is likely, but he or she will find nothing physically wrong. Professional help is often required to deal with stress at this point.
Stage six is the crisis stage. One will literally feel trapped and like the only option is to "get out" – of a job, the city, a marriage. The people around bear the brunt of the frustration. If someone says "cheer up," they better watch out.
Out of Control Stress
This is the final stage otherwise known as "rock bottom." At this point, stress level, and thus life, is out of control. People who allow their level of stress to reach this point often end up in prison, in mental health institutions, homeless, or committing suicide. No one wants to reach this stage.
Reference:
Workshop presented by Silver Hills (April 2009)
Brandy Robertson - Brandy Robertson writes on a wide range of subjects including literature, religion, film and popular culture.
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