In my last post, I emphasized on the fact how the human craving for "More" is a potential source of stress and unhappiness due to the complications that it brings in. I have also been trying to decode the mystery behind stress. And this is what I think it really is.
Stress is often not a malady in itself. It is a by-product of our actions, thoughts, and desires. I view it as something which is caused by the level of importance you attach to your actions, thoughts, desires, expectations and the end results. Example? Okay here it is. Being late for any event can cause stress only if it is important enough to catch it in time. What will happen if you reach late to your office?
a. Miss a meeting / deadline for an activity.
b. May lose half a day of leave.
c. Poor impression with boss, peers or juniors.
One or more of these are the most possible outcomes. But can it be a matter of life and death? I bet that the answer is mostly a NO. But look at people during the morning rush hours. Their faces tell a grim story. They apparently think that it is a matter of life and death. They honk, they swear, they get into verbal fights with other commuters and you can easily see the high stress levels as a collective negative energy on the roads.
So what to do? Stop worrying about meetings, deadlines, bosses, or even absent marks? I don't think I want to suggest that. Then what to do?
I suggest one has to reduce the degree of importance attached. At least not till the time you actually reach the work place. Take a chill pill. Enjoy the commute with all its challenges. Try to reduce stress for others. If someone is in a great hurry, give him way with a smile. At least let him feel better.Shouting at him is going to increase the stress for two people. Smiling and giving way does not mean you are losing a battle. It is actually a way of winning it.! And winning it collectively for all.
I am sure not many will take this suggestion as a strategy. But I am not going to stress myself with that thought either. I am keeping my expectation levels low enough not to cause me any stress :-)
Stress is often not a malady in itself. It is a by-product of our actions, thoughts, and desires. I view it as something which is caused by the level of importance you attach to your actions, thoughts, desires, expectations and the end results. Example? Okay here it is. Being late for any event can cause stress only if it is important enough to catch it in time. What will happen if you reach late to your office?
a. Miss a meeting / deadline for an activity.
b. May lose half a day of leave.
c. Poor impression with boss, peers or juniors.
One or more of these are the most possible outcomes. But can it be a matter of life and death? I bet that the answer is mostly a NO. But look at people during the morning rush hours. Their faces tell a grim story. They apparently think that it is a matter of life and death. They honk, they swear, they get into verbal fights with other commuters and you can easily see the high stress levels as a collective negative energy on the roads.
So what to do? Stop worrying about meetings, deadlines, bosses, or even absent marks? I don't think I want to suggest that. Then what to do?
I suggest one has to reduce the degree of importance attached. At least not till the time you actually reach the work place. Take a chill pill. Enjoy the commute with all its challenges. Try to reduce stress for others. If someone is in a great hurry, give him way with a smile. At least let him feel better.Shouting at him is going to increase the stress for two people. Smiling and giving way does not mean you are losing a battle. It is actually a way of winning it.! And winning it collectively for all.
I am sure not many will take this suggestion as a strategy. But I am not going to stress myself with that thought either. I am keeping my expectation levels low enough not to cause me any stress :-)
A good thought Indeed. A better planning in advance can also help reduce stress. So in this case, if a person starts from home well before time, allowing for all the unplanned delays on the way, he will be able to bring down his stress levels as well as help rduce the negative energy flowing on the way.
ReplyDeleteYes. Planning is a good way to reduce or eliminate stress situations. However, starting early itself could be stressful! I am trying to deal with stressful situations when you are already into one of them. It is a helpless scenario and your reaction to it will determine the stress levels you generate further or contain them. For yourself and for others :-)
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