In our world we deal with stress all the time. Many dont realize how harmful it can be. The stress response (a physical and chemical response for dealing with stressful situations) has developed over thousands of years. Our ancestors used the stress response in critical life or death situations. E.g. An angry tiger wants to make you his next meal. You must either run away or fight. Either choice requires a quick response. Your sight and hearing improve, more blood flows to the hands and feet, breath and heart rate increase, and digestion stops. All these changes help you to survive this situation.
The challenges we face today are different than our ancestors but the stress response remains the same. E.g. Your boss is mad because you didn't turn in your reports on time. The stress response activates. Your sight and hearing improve, more blood flows to the hands and feet, breath and heart rate increase, and digestion stops. None of these changes will help you complete the reports quickly and and effectively. You need to think clearly and stay organized to finish the task and the stress response makes this more difficult. It is designed to assist in times of extreme physical need, but here you need increased mental power.
The stress response is activated by the emotional part of our brain. Because your mind is so powerful it can override the changes produced by the stress response. When you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed there are three simple steps to handle the situation:
1. Stop
2. Breathe deeply
3. Think-- What are my options?
This will free you of the stress and allow you to think clearly. When you understand the continual feeling of stress is a choice your life can change dramatically. Effective use of this ancient process allows us to perform incredible physicals feats in critical situations and also to shut it down when we need mental clarity in the daily challenges of life.
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