How Can You Manage Hypostress and Find Balance in Your Life?

One of the types of stress is Hypostress: very low levels of stress.

HYPOSTRESS:

Hypostress in Psychology refers to a state of very low stress levels in which a person feels uninterested, monotonous, or underwhelmed due to a lack of stimulus because there isn’t enough happening to keep you interested or motivated.

They may feel like they ‘need to’ be doing something exciting, or a little stressful, to feel occupied and not bored. 

Characteristics and Examples of Hypostress:

1. Lack of Engagement:
   When you’re sitting in an uninteresting, in which there is lack of personal interest, subject class where the duties or activities at hand do not stimulate them emotionally or cognitively.

Solution? Find an objective and personal-oriented goal worth suffering for in that moment.

2. Reduced Productivity:

A person may find it difficult to stay motivated or have the energy to complete chores. Insufficient levels of stress or pressure can result in reduced productivity.

For example, have you ever come across a homework that you found astonishingly boring? Well, it might be an example of hypostress, especially if is not mentally challenging, or one that does not meet your definition of “productivity.”

3. Underwhelming Feelings:

Many low stimulus situations can lead to a general feeling of dissatisfaction.

For example, having to fill out a set of identical forms with monotonous questions, requiring the same information repeatedly.

4. Unstimulating Social Environment:

Social situations where conversations lack depth, variety, and personal emotional connection.

5. Job with Insufficient Responsibilities:

In a workplace where an employee’s responsibilities are too limited or do not align with their skills and capabilities, they may experience hypostress.

The absence of challenging tasks can result in job dissatisfaction and a lack of motivation.

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How to cope with Hypostress?

1. Set Personal-Oriented Goals:

2. Trying New Activities:

Exploring a new hobby, spending a few minutes in quiet reflection without distractions, confronting internal struggles head-on, writing down your thoughts and emotions during challenging days, and finding the resilience to bounce back can all contribute to finding equilibrium in times of low stress.

These practices may not offer immediate gratification, but they cultivate a sense of well-being and resilience that pays dividends over time.

1. Try New Things:
   Pick a random positive thought that comes to your brain and immediately take action. This approach can lead you to discover unexpected places and experiences that might enhance your life in ways you never imagined.
2. Random Acts of Kindness:
   Act on the impulse to perform random acts of kindness. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, surprising a friend with a thoughtful gesture, or words.

3. Exploring Your Artistic Nature:
   Consider painting, pottery, writing, or even literature classes. These activities not only provide a creative outlet but also offer away to release your emotional underwhelm.

Social Connections:

Improve your personal affairs, social conversations and relationships by:

• Opening up and sharing personal experiences: When you share your true thoughts and feelings, it encourages others to do the same, leading to deeper relationships. Be mindful to not overshare too personal information.
• Expressing gratitude in your interactions: Let others know you appreciate them, and be specific about what you value in them. 
• Practice being fully present in social interactions: Minimize distractions, put away electronic devices, and focus on the person you are with. 

Identifying areas of Hypostress:

Here are practical steps to identify areas of hypostress, and make necessary adjustments:

• Self-Reflection:
  Engage in self-reflection to evaluate how you feel about your daily tasks and activities. Think about how to make them engaging, fulfilling, and aligned with your interests, personal goals, and values.

• Keep a Journal:
  Writing is powerful; Maintain a journal where you can record your thoughts and feelings about your daily experiences. Answer these 3 questions to achieve more clarity on your levels of underwhelm:

Q1. “What am I feeling right now?”

Q2. “Why am I feeling what I’m feeling?”

Q3. “What can I do to make my situation better?

If you’re having trouble to eliminate hypostress, consider using the steps above:

• Prioritize Meaningful Tasks
  Identify tasks that hold personal significance or contribute to your long-term goals. Prioritize these meaningful tasks to add a sense of purpose and fulfillment to your routine.

Remember, consistency and giving up on temporary dopamine, such as checking social media repeatedly, would give you motivation to pursue your dreams, enjoy the most mundane tasks, and feel content in life.

• Connect with Passions:
  Reconnect with your passions and interests. Assess whether your current routine allows time for activities you genuinely enjoy. Adjustments may involve allocating a small portion of your day to these passions “daily”.

Conclusion:

In summary, low levels of engagement, boredom, decreased productivity, and a generalized feeling of underwhelming are traits of hypostress. It can show up in different areas of life, such as repetitious hobbies and occupations with little responsibility, dull routines, and uninteresting social settings.

The key to battling the consequences of hypostress is to constantly assess and modify one’s routine, seek out new challenges, make goals, develop new interests, and strengthen social ties to enjoy the company of close people.

External Sources:

1. https://www.advekit.com/blogs/what-is-positive-stress
2. https://healthiersteps.com/what-is-negative-stress-and-positive-stress/
3. https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-symptoms-effects_of-stress-on-the-body
4. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/hypostress

Mental Health Help:

National Helplines:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Online Resources:

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://www.nami.org
• MentalHealth.gov: https://www.mentalhealth.gov

Local Resources

When looking for mental health support, it’s often best to start locally. Many communities have mental health clinics, hospitals, and community centres that offer counselling and therapy services. You can find these services by searching online directories, like Psychology Today’s Therapist Finder, which allows you to filter results by location, specialty, and insurance coverage. Additionally, your primary care doctor can be a valuable resource, as they can refer you to local mental health professionals or services that meet your needs.

How to Find Help

Finding the right mental health help can be overwhelming, but there are several ways to simplify the process:

1. Online Directories: Websites like Psychology Today, GoodTherapy, and Therapist Finder offer comprehensive directories of mental health professionals. These platforms let you search by location, issues treated, and insurance acceptance.
2. Health Insurance Providers: Your health insurance provider can give you a list of covered mental health services and providers, ensuring you receive care within your network.
3. Healthcare Providers: Don’t hesitate to speak with your primary care physician or a general practitioner. They can provide referrals to trusted mental health professionals or guide you on how to access the services you need.