How stress works
According to Sonia Lupien, Director of the Center for Studies on Human Stress, when human beings are subjected to different stressors, they produce the biological response to stress. This biological response has physical impacts, and the impact that when the brain is no longer stimulated (for example when we go to bed at night!) these thoughts resurface. There are four stressors:
- The impression of not being in control of the situation. (C)
- The situation is unforeseen or unforeseeable. (I)
- The situation is new. (N)
- The situation can threaten your ego, your image, your reputation. (E)
Basically, stress is there for our survival. It creates physical manifestations (slowed digestion, more blood in the muscles, secretion of hormones) to prepare us to fight or flee. And why are we so stressed these days? Because everything is fast, constantly changing. The demand is for speed, teamwork, leadership transformation, getting involved, finding meaning, being constantly stimulated, etc. And if today, a boss, a colleague, a client, a new role, a request, the flow of information or the volume of things to manage trigger stress, it is because the event triggers one or more of the four stressors (lack of control, unpredictability, novelty or threat to the ego). So, before you have chronic stress characterized by digestive disorders, a lack of concentration and potentially self-soothing behaviors (eating more, drinking more, spending more, for example), I invite you to manage your stress.
How to manage stress
1. Find a way to have more control
Make plans, ask questions, take a step back, educate yourself. One way suggested by Ms. Lupien is to make plans A, B, C, D, E, etc.
- For example, if a colleague stresses you out to the point that you talk about it every night at home and it prevents you from sleeping… Go into solution mode… What can you do? Kick her out? Probably not. Avoid it? Maybe. Talk to him to settle your dispute? Maybe. You’ll find that just making plans will give you a sense of control and already your stress will decrease significantly!
2. Develop your ability to anticipate
Find out what’s going on in your organization, in your market, in your network. Educate yourself on trends that may impact you. Do strategic planning. Manage your risks with a clear conscience. Make informed decisions about impact and consequences. Take a step back every day. Yes, every day, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour. Write. Anyway, if you don’t do it and you don’t manage your stress, unfortunately…. thoughts will return.
It is impossible to eradicate stress. It is part of the survival behaviors of human beings.
3. Do self-awareness work
Try to understand which of the four factors you are most sensitive to (Control, Unexpected, New, Stress) and make plans. Get to know yourself better (your values, interests, aspirations, strengths, motivations). By getting to know yourself better, you will more easily know how to put yourself in the conditions for success.
In conclusion
The human machine is well made, it brings to our consciousness what is necessary to move forward at the right time. The human machine can be pushy when it comes to your survival! Listen. Be more in control. Develop your anticipation skills. Get to know yourself better. Ah. And do you know the two best stress relievers in the world? Fun and exercise.
To have all the tools you need to manage your emotions and those of others, watch the online training course Managing Stress and Emotions.