Does Stress, Anger and Conflict Rule Your Life?

Embracing Stress

Today the word stress is tossed around with relative disregard to its actual meaning. Everyone’s life is affected by stress, though many are not aware of the harm it delivers. Stress can be defined as how we react to changes which demand a response from us. Change is ever-occurring, so therefore, so too is the opportunity to engage stress. Stress is natural and a necessary component of the human experience. When we perceive a change, and deem it a threat to our safety, stress hormones are released into our body. Our awareness is heightened, adrenaline is released, a surge of extra energy courses through our veins. We react by deciding if it’s best to fight or flee. This stress hormone, called cortisal is paramount to survival. However, most changes we encounter on a day to day basis are not real threats to our survival! When we treat them as such, however, cortisal is still produced and all the physical and mental gymnastics ensue, regardless of the situation. This is when stress becomes a detriment in our lives, and begins to impact us negatively. Over-production of cortisal affects our mental performance, our memory suffers. Our immunity is reduced and we may become sick more often. Blood pressure rises. Blood sugar imbalances can occur.

How do we best deal with stress then? There have been thousands of books, seminars and workshops created to answer just that question. It is imperative that we get the big picture. In other words, ask yourself, how important is this? A traffic jam, a late bill, a disgruntled employee; these are not life-threatening situations. Another good question to ask is over what do I have control? You’ll soon discover that it is only you and your own thoughts, actions and attitudes. Take some deep breaths, count to ten, think of a time or place that makes you smile…you’ll be amazed at how swiftly your body reacts in a more peaceful, calm manner.

Standing boldly right alongside stress is anger. The two are intimately related, with stress most often issuing anger in. When we feel threatened, our backs pressed up against the wall, it is often the fight we choose, rather than to flee. This response to stress results in arguments, tantrums, outbursts and even violence. The upshot of this is more stress! A vicious cycle has begun to which there is seemingly no end. When we exude this tension, our eyes narrowed, our jaw jutting out, we attract the exact same behavior from those around us: coworkers, family members, friends, spouses. By our vibrational countenance we actually begin to invite stress in.

When stress is not addressed and treated, anger is born. When anger is allowed to rein, conflict blossoms. For the stressed out individual it seems that he or she is greeted by conflict at every corner. It lurks in the office, at home, in the parking lot. At this point, one begins to look for conflict, as if beckoning its destructive nature, expecting conflict in all aspects of life. Stress is at its most powerful point at this juncture. Cortisal floods the body almost constantly. Diseases like chronic hypertension, ulcers, migraines, anxiety attacks and psychological disorders will appear if one fails to actively treat stress. There is so much help one can receive! Mountains of research have been conducted in decreasing stress in our lives. Take advantage of the knowledge we have gained. We cannot avoid stress in our lives, but we can learn to bridle its affects.