Stress Mythbusters
October 15, 2009
What are your stress facts/myths? Comment Below!
As I am having a very stressful week, I thought it would be helpful to focus on some of the facts and myths I have learned about stress. Some of this is life experience, some of it I’ve absorbed from the sheer amount of time I spend around Counselling, Health, and Wellness people.
The more things you do, the more stressed you are -FALSE
I am constantly told that if I just “do less,” I would be less stressed. Now, maybe if I had fewer things on my to do list, I would have fewer things to stress over. But I’d also be bored – and boredom, in my sphere, leads to obsessing about the small stuff to the point of being stressed.
In short – how much I do has little to do with my actual stress level. “Doing too much” is a factor of time management, learning to say no, and knowing your own limits – all of which pertain to (but do not cause) stress.
Some people just “like” being stressed -TRUE-ISH
As strange as it sounds,I truly believe there are some people who stress about the smallest things because it makes them feel productive and/or on top of things. It can also contribute to feeling “in charge” or “in the loop.” This is a factor that I have operated on unsuccessfully and continue to watch myself for.
Stress makes you more productive – ?????
Sometimes?! I think this one depends on what you’re stressing over. For some things (example: writing a short paper), the most efficient way for me to get it done is to wait until the last minute, let the pressure build up, and then knock it out when my energy is racing and my brain is freaking out. Other assignments (example: 20 page research paper), stress makes me physically and emotionally ill to the point of hurting my productivity.
Once I’m stressed, I can’t stop until I’m finished – FALSE
Breathe. Walk away. Your creativity and productivity is often higher after taking short breaks, and when those step it up, the stress gets pushed down I recommend one of the three “creativity-inducing” activities for stress-breaks: (1) sleeping, (2) go underwater (shower/rain/etc.), or (3) movement (by vehicle or exercise)
Other people stress me out – TRUE-ISH
I used to think that it was just certain situation/people combinations, but then I started to see that some people just make me stressed, no matter what the situation is. Sometimes it’s because of their physical presence (or way of talking), sometimes it’s just they’re so awesomely famous I get nervous.
It’s cool or popular to be stressed – FALSE
For some reason I will never understand, it became popular/cool in middle and high school to be stressed over academics/sports/family/extra-curriculars/etc. Stress meant you were hard worker, overachiever, destined to go places. Needless to say, this created a lot of high-stressed students, which was not necessarily a productive environment to grow up in.
What are your stress facts/myths? I’d love to hear them…leave comments below!
October 15, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Stress makes you EAT! — TRUE (for me)
When I’m stressed, I have a mindset that says I can only do what I HAVE to do. That means the work the need to get done, and eating and sleeping when necessary. Therefore, to avoid doing the actual work, I say, “I need to eat!” And under my brain’s rules, I am allowed to. It’s a terrible but helpful habit.
That’s my own stress myth…I agree with all of yours! Stress seems like it never goes away when you’re young. Although, it may never go away at all…. (scary thought!)
October 15, 2009 at 9:30 pm
That last one is SO true for my school. I didn’t do any homework last night. Literally none. Somebody came into school complaining she’d worked until 4:30 AM on a project that took me 35 minutes and I finished it a week ago.
I just don’t get it. I’m going to do as much as I can in as short a time as possible and move on to what I want to do and what’s good for me.
Also, this list reminds me of how alike we are.