Is stress impacting your life? Dealing with different types of stress

1. General stress: Fear and uncertainty

General stress encompasses the everyday fears and uncertainties that we encounter, whether they are real or perceived. It’s that feeling of unease that arises when you’re not sure about the outcome of a situation. To tackle general stress:

• Practice mindfulness: Stay in the present moment by practicing mindfulness techniques. Breathing exercises and meditation can help you stay grounded and reduce anxiety.
• Challenge negative thoughts: Recognize and challenge negative thought patterns. Are your fears based on reality, or are they fueled by irrational beliefs? Sometimes, we need to reframe our thinking to alleviate general stress.
• Set realistic expectations: Don’t set the bar too high. Unrealistic expectations can lead to unnecessary stress. Set achievable goals and recognize that not everything is under your control.

2. Life stress: The weight of life’s challenges

Life stress encompasses a wide range of challenging life events, both positive and negative. It can include illness, divorce, or the death of a loved one. It can also be exciting life changes as well, like a birth or marriage. To address life stress:

• Seek support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a therapist during tough times. Talking about your feelings and experiences can provide relief and help you cope with life’s challenges.
• Self-care: Prioritize self-care during life stressors. This includes getting enough rest, eating well, and engaging in physical activity. Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial.
• Set boundaries: Learn to say no when necessary. Overcommitting yourself during stressful times can make the situation worse. Setting boundaries and focusing on what’s truly important can ease the load.

3. Internal stress: The power of perception

Sometimes, we’re our own worst critics. Internal stress is the kind we create within ourselves, whether on purpose or not. It often comes from the way we perceive and view situations. Internal stress can be triggered by things like negative self-talk or a sense of losing control. To address internal stress:

• Practice positive self-talk: Challenge and reframe negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Replace self-criticism with self-compassion.
• Mindful awareness: Practice mindfulness to become more aware of your internal dialogue. Mindfulness can help you recognize and manage the thoughts that contribute to internal stress.
• Seek professional care: If internal stress becomes overwhelming and begins to interfere with your daily life, consider seeking guidance from a therapist or counselor. They can help you address the root causes and develop strategies for managing internal stress.

4. Work stress: Navigating the professional arena

Work stress is a common form of stress that arises from job demands, a lack of support, interpersonal relationships with coworkers, changes in organizational structure, and overall job dissatisfaction. To address work stress:

• Set work-life boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Avoid taking work-related calls or checking emails during your personal time to create a healthier work-life balance.
• Seek open communication: If you’re facing interpersonal issues at work, engage in open and honest communication with colleagues or supervisors. Addressing concerns early can help resolve conflicts.
• Start stress management techniques: Learn and apply stress management techniques — such as time management, prioritization, and relaxation exercises — to handle job demands effectively.

Recognizing stress is the first step in addressing it

Take a moment to think about the times and types of situations that cause you stress. Some signs that you feel stressed may be a change in your eating, activity, and social habits. Everyone reacts slightly differently, too. Some people may overeat when stressed, while some may become inactive and withdrawn.

Once you have identified your sources of stress, you can work to begin to manage your stress effectively. Healthy options include exercise, meditation, therapy, health coaching, and adopting an overall healthier lifestyle.

Stress management usually focuses on identifying what you can control or change, and things that you can’t. For things you can’t change, working on how you view the stress and using healthy self-care techniques can help you deal with stress without lasting harm. Self-care techniques include deep breathing, time for reflection, yoga, physical activity, and connecting with others. Don’t know where to start? Contact your health coach to get on the road to less stress.

Recognizing (and understanding) the different types of stressors helps effectively manage them. By using these strategies, you can reduce the impact of stress on your life and well-being. Remember, stress is a natural response, but with the right tools, you can regain control and lead a healthier, happier life.