Is Stress an Imbalance?

Stress has been defined by some as an “imbalance between demands and resources” or when “pressure exceeds one’s perceived ability to cope”

I like the second description better than the first because of my belief that stress is what results from improper choices in our lives.  If stress were truly an imbalance between demands and resources then everyone would be stressed, even the heads of large corporations.  This is not the case as many people don’t have a lot of stress in their lives because they have learned how to deal with those situations that cause other people distress.

I agree more with the second definition because of the “perceived” ability to cope.  We all have the ability to cope with most situations in our lives, just some choose not to cope properly.  Pressures of life can easily build up but as long as we choose to deal with them properly then no stress results.  It is only when we perceive that we do not have the ability to cope that we have stress.

The biggest obstacle I’ve found is knowing “when to hold’em, and knowing when to fold’em” as Kenny Rogers sang.  Everybody has to choose to accept a situation or change the situation.  Many times we go for years stuck in a situation that we don’t have the courage to change - job, relationship, neighborhood, etc.  We must learn to choose wisely and courageously if we are to lead stress free lives.

I’m not saying that there won’t be any situations that could cause stress but they will be few and far between if we make intelligent choices.  Additionally, “The Secret” tells us that like begets like and action follows thought so if we act as though we can handle everything that life throws at us, we likely will.  And with ease too!

It is important to remember that which we do not control, controls us.  If we learn to control our emotions then we will not be controlled by them in situations that require self control or require us to be strong and take a stand for what is right for us.  It is only in allowing the situation to control us and our emotions that we find stress.  Otherwise, we overcome that which is not beneficial to us.

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