Is stress all that bad?
Howdy people, this week we are talking all about stress!
Over the last couple of months an increasing number of my coaching conversations have been around stress and in a Gallup 2022 survey 44% of those surveyed reported experiencing "a lot of stress" the previous day (https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx) . I've also had an increase in reschedules because of workload leading to stress and this has been the catalyst for our topic this week!
What is stress?
We often talk about stress as an absolute - I am stressed vs. I am not stressed and today I'd like you to reconsider you relationship with stress, thinking more about it as a curve rather than a linear line from not stressed to stressed. It looks something a little bit like this...
The Optimum Stress Zone and You
Everyone has an optimum stress zone, and that zone looks different for everyone. Think about, on a scale of 0-10, what is a level of stress that you're comfortable with. THAT is your optimum stress zone. My optimum stress zone sits between 6.8-7.2. I quite like stress, I find it motivating, I need quite a lot of stress in my life to feel like I am progressing. The problem with my optimum zone is that it is a very small margin so I can VERY quickly fall into the "too much stress" category.
In a coaching session, here's an activity that I'll do with my clients. Feel free to do it now for yourself.
Take a moment now to think about where your optimum stress zone is. What does that range look like? If someone was to ask you the following questions, how would you respond?
Where are you currently sitting on the stress curve? Are you within your optimum zone or somewhere else?
Which zone do you think you spend most of your time?
Which zone would you like to spend most of your time?
Are there events/people/situations that you can pinpoint that move you into a zone that you don't want to be in?
These questions often can help to understand what your relationship is with stress and what you would like it to be. Often people realise that there are certain things that trigger a push into the "too much stress" zone and we will work on these.
Burnout. And Boreout??
We hear a lot about burnout, but rarely about boreout (maybe that's just the society that we live in) however I would say that they are equally as dangerous and occur when you are experiencing way too little or way too much stress.
Burnout occurs when someone has been under prolonged stress. The impacts of this stress are both psychological and physiological and lead to a whole host of nasties (including reduced self-worth, extreme fatigue, and depression to name a few).
Boreout occurs when there's not enough stress in your life (yes it's a real thing!).
Boreout is extreme boredom and can lead to lack of energy, motivation, or general caring about the organisation or role. It can be problematic because an individual experiencing boreout can feel like they are lacking in purpose. What I think is REALLY interesting is that people are much more likely to talk about burnout than boreout.
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210701-the-damaging-effects-of-boreout-at-work
What if I'm stuck in a zone I don't want to be in?
The good news is you CAN move from a zone you don't want to be in to your optimum zone and there are things that I work with my clients on to help to make that move. Resilience and stress are very closely linked and one of the ways that we can increase resilience is through wellbeing.
I KNOW already... blah blah blah wellbeing... I hear you. And I'm not suggesting pizza parties and yoga retreats (unless that's your bag).
What I am saying is take a proactive rather than reactive approach to your wellbeing, it sounds very abstract so let me walk you through an activity I do with my clients...
Think about the things that bring you joy, make a list of them. Those things that give you the warm fuzzies inside, the things that give you a little bit of inner peace. Try and think of about 5-10. My list is at the bottom in case you need inspiration.
Now look at that list and rate from 0-10 answering the question "How well are your wellbeing needs being met in each area?".
When you look at the list, are there things that are lower than you would like? If so, they are the things to work on.
Proactive not reactive
We all experience stress, and all need some form of stress in our lives to be motivated (even if you're a 1 or 2 for your optimum level it is still a little bit of stress) and what I'd encourage you to do going forwards it to take a proactive approach to your stress management. Check-in with yourself regularly and if you're in a zone you don't want to be the readjust accordingly.
My list of warm fuzzies
Here's my list of things that increase my wellbeing, and my current honest rating. I'd love to hear what yours are!
Eating out! I love a good meal out, a fancy menu and good company. Current rating - 5/10
Naps! Not much needs to be said about this one ;) Current rating 8/10
Public speaking. It gives me energy, I love talking about what I love talking about and it increases my wellbeing - 5/10
Exercise. Preferably going to the gym and lifting weights. 4/10
Boxset bingeing. 7/10
Sunshine, usually in the form of holidays. 8/10
As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this publication and whether it was useful! Plus anything else you'd like to learn more about.
But for now...
Toodles x
