Life is full of surprises, and without the occasional curve ball it throws our way, we’d be bored and we’d have nothing to excite us. Some stress is good for us—it gets our adrenaline flowing and it excites us to get up, get out and get moving. The bad stress also gets our adrenaline jumping but in a way that can be excessive, having long-term, negative effects on our minds, bodies and souls.
Good Stress
Good stress is often referred to as psychological stress, or short-term stress. Your adrenaline flows, your cortisol level increases and that feeling like you need to take action or get something done takes over. Without short-term stress we would not be on top of our game. We wouldn’t be able to think on our feet or feel the sense of accomplishment we feel when we’ve conquered the cause of the immediate situation.
Some examples of good stress are:
• Getting ready for a date
• Having to make a speech in front of a crowd
• Meeting a deadline
Bad Stress
Bad stress is often referred to as pathological stress, or chronic stress, and it affects us in the long term both physically and mentally. It is possible that some good stress, if prolonged, can morph into bad stress and that is something we should strive to avoid. Bad stress, like good stress, can cause raised levels of adrenaline and cortisol, but if those and other bodily reactions become long-term, they can have some very negative effects—effects that will undoubtedly cause more problems and increase stress levels, resulting in some very real, chronic problems.
Some effects of bad stress are:
• Depression
• Irritability
• Inability to focus
• Weight gain
• Damage to our muscles, organs and overall psychological well-being
Some things that can cause bad stress:
• Financial worries
• Job security
• Troubled relationships
• Loss of a loved one
While some troubles can begin as short-term or good stress, if left unchecked, they can become long-term and result in bad stress. Therefore, any stress, good or bad, can become a life-changer, and not in a good way if it’s not dealt with right away. Handling good stress and avoiding bad stress is a human necessity for good health and the best way to stay on top of life is by being able to manage that stress.
What helps us manage stress?
• Knowing what you can and can’t control. You can’t control traffic jams or rainstorms. All you can do is accept
them and use those situations to your advantage if possible.
• Get physical. Give that stress an outlet by taking a walk or going to
the gym. It will clear your mind and get your blood pumping.
• Meditation. Meditation calms the mind and it also makes us pay
attention to how we’re breathing—something stressed out people can
forget to do properly. Be sure to breathe deeply and regularly.
Stress, good and bad, is a part of life. We can’t avoid it, but we can manage it. If you’re feeling stressed, consider reaching out to one of psychics for a reading. If you have the facts, you’ll feel a lot better about what you’re going through.