Tammi's World

Competitive Stress

I saw this article over at MSN and it really rang true for me.

Seems that even your stress level has become something to compete over. You've seen it, you've heard it. No matter how tired you are, how over worked and under appreciated someONE someWHERE works more hours and is noticed even LESS.

They even have a quiz on how you handle stress. I took it half afraid with my history of over working and under playing that I am one of the worst offenders. Here is what it says from my answers:

Thanks for taking our quiz.

You seem to be skilled at communicating your needs and managing your stress most of the time without having to participate in competitive stress-offs. Good going.

* This is not a scientific survey.
Source: MSNBC.com and Leslie Reisner, Ph.D.

Whew. Not too bad. And it's true, I do handle stress pretty well. At times. Sorta.

But what really hit home with me was thinking about how stress is an addictive lifestyle. I've posted before about how difficult it was for me to recognize NORMAL after 11 years of hell. You get used to the ups and downs, the excitment as it were. When things mellow out it all seems....wrong.

Well the same thing goes for all types of stress. Think about it. You've worked in a career where you're constantly under the gun, always too much to do, never good enough. Then suddenly you get another job where things are just smooth and the pressure is low. It's kinda boring. It doesn't feel like it challenges you. Well, at least that's how it was for me. I'd like to think I'm not the only one.

Anyway - we all know excess stress isn't good for us. And we can't control all of it all the time. But we can work on better ways to handle it. Remember - most important of all.....Pick your battles. Don't make everything a huge deal. Let some things just slip on by. Save your energy for the issues you care DEEPLY about.

Personally speaking, if I'm going to compete over something it's not if I can have a heart attack first. Ya know what I mean.

Posted by Tammi at November 29, 2006 05:12 AM | TrackBack