Stressing about Being Stressed

Imagine this: you’re stressed about a test tomorrow, forgetting to finish that project for school, about not having enough time to hang out with friends, and on top of all that, you start stressing about being stressed! It’s like you’re in a never-ending loop of worry and anxiety that makes the feeling of ‘being stressed’ even more stressful. 

But you’re not alone! Lots of people feel this way, and it’s totally normal. And guess what? We’re going to dive deep into this topic, learn why people stress about being stressed happens, and most importantly, how to handle it. 

Stress:

Now, let’s break down the different types of stress because not all stress is created equal. 

• Acute stress. The kind of stress that hits you fast and hard, like when you accidentally spill your lunch all over your new shirt right before a big presentation. It’s intense, but it usually doesn’t last very long.
• Chronic stress: The kind of stress that is more like long and slow-paced. Imagine feeling constantly overwhelmed by your responsibilities, or living in a situation that’s just plain stressful all the time. 
• Eustress: The good kind of stress, that motivates you and pushes you to do your best. It’s the thrill of a new challenge or the excitement of a big opportunity. 
• Distress: The harmful form of stress that instills feelings of anxiety, fear, and overwhelm. For instance, being constantly worried about your job, a toxic relationship, or stressing about being stressed. This kind of ongoing distress can lead to physical symptoms like headaches, stomach problems, and insomnia. 

The key is to understand the different types of stress and how to handle them in a way that keeps you healthy and thriving.

Stressing about being stressed

The Stress Loop:

Consider a scenario: juggling so many tasks and responsibilities that you are stressed about not having enough time to finish everything, and then boom, you get even more stressed because you’re stressed! It’s like you’re caught in a never-ending loop of stress, and it’s exhausting. It is what we call the stress loop.

Breaking it down:

Sometimes, stress can be a trigger for more stress. For example, you might get stressed about an upcoming test, and then because you’re so stressed, you can’t focus and end up doing poorly on the test. It makes you more stressed and can even become a bad habit that’s hard to break if not properly addressed.

Effect:

The stress loop can mess with your mental and physical health. It’s like a dark cloud that follows you everywhere, making it hard to see the good in life.

For instance, imagine you’re so stressed about your grades that you start to worry all the time. You can’t sleep, you’re irritable, and lose interest in things you used to love. These are all signs that you should address as soon as possible.

Practical Solutions for Breaking the Stress Loop:

The good news is that whether it’s talking to someone, getting enough sleep, or finding time to relax, there are many strategies you can use to break the loop of stressing about being stressed:

The first step is to recognize what situations or looping thoughts are causing you to stress about being stressed. Maybe it’s a specific environment that reminds you of your stressful assignment, a looming deadline, or your exam, but once identified, you can attack the trigger to eliminate it. 

1. Minimize Exposure to Low-Rewarding Stimulus:

The idea is to limit your exposure to electronic screens, watching movies, or wasteful and addictive stimuli. Excessive exposure to low-reward stimuli is linked to increased stress levels and low satisfaction levels.

Here’s why minimizing mindlessly scrolling through Tiktok or low-reward stimulus can be beneficial:

More time for Yourself: Spending too much time in front of screens, like phones or computers, can affect how well you sleep. It can make you feel more stressed and tired during the day. 

Reduced Stress: Social media, sometimes, and not doing what you are supposed to do make you feel bad about yourself. Seeing other people do good in life might make you compare yourself to them or worry about missing out. Taking a break from these things can help you feel better. 

To cut back on low-reward stimulus, try these tips:

• Set specific times when you won’t be exposed to such stimuli, such as the use of screens during meals or before bed.
• Find other things to do instead, like reading, playing outside, or spending time with family.
• Use apps or settings on your devices to remind you to take breaks.
• Pay attention to how much time you spend on what activities and try to limit the bad ones.

It will be difficult at first, and you will be tempted to fall back into the pit again, but do you want to excel and win in life? Or stay in the loop of nothingness?

2. Respond, not react: 

Think before acting, especially in situations that can be stressful or emotionally charged. An impulsive reaction can lead to consequences that we may later regret, whereas a thoughtful response allows us to consider the situation more carefully and choose a course of action that is more likely to lead to a positive outcome. 

Here’s how to apply this principle in the context of stressing about being stressed:

1. Practice Mindfulness: When you are about to stress about being stressed, take a deep breath and pause. It can help you become more aware of your emotions, allowing you to respond to the situation rather than react and waste your energy.
2. Reflect on the Consequences: Before you act, consider the potential short-term and long-term consequences of your reaction. A momentarily harsh decision taken is better than an easy short-term relief.
3. Seek to Understand: Instead of jumping to conclusions or assuming the worst, try to understand the full context of the situation and don’t take it personally. 
4. Use “I” Statements: Instead of blaming the external circumstances, use “I” statements to express how you feel or what you need. A solution to a problem already exists and you have to figure it out intrinsically by questioning yourself.
5. Emotional Reactions: The more you run away from being stressed, the more emotional reactions you give yourself. As a result, your body stays in the fight-or-flight mode 24/7 and you get nothing done about what is bothering you.

3. Question yourself rather than external circumstances:

Take responsibility for your actions and outcomes, rather than blaming external factors. 

Here’s how to apply this principle:

1. Take Ownership: Acknowledge that you have control over your actions, attitudes, and how you perceive the situation, evaluate a situation according to ‘your way’ of doing things, and that you are responsible for your life.
2. Reflect on Your Behavior: When faced with a challenging situation, ask yourself what you could have done differently to achieve a different end-state of a situation.
3. Learn from Mistakes: Instead of beating yourself up over mistakes, view them as opportunities to learn and grow. Ask yourself what you can do differently next time.
4. Practice Self-Awareness: Stress, if used effectively, from a productive task can help you excel in boundaries you never imagined doing so. Reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to understand why you think of stress as something harmful while good things come after going through difficulty. 
5. Practice Gratitude: Focus on the things you are grateful for, rather than dwelling on what you lack or what has gone wrong. Keep on repeating the good scenarios, motivational words, or positive visualizations over and over in your head to adopt them into your mindset.

4. Stress Journal:

Get a notebook or use your phone to start recording your stress levels and the events, thoughts, or situations that lead to them.

Include details such as what happened, how you felt, and what you did in response.

1. Reflect on Patterns: After a few weeks, look for patterns in your journal. Are there certain times of day when you feel more stressed? Do specific people, places, or activities seem to trigger your stress more often?
2. Analyze Your Responses: Reflect on how you typically respond to stress. Do you tend to avoid the trigger, confront it, or try to ignore it? 
3. Develop Coping Strategies: Based on your stress journal and the patterns you’ve identified, develop specific strategies for dealing with your stress triggers. Be artistic with it and implement your current best plan as soon as possible.
4. Feed Yourself Positive Responses: If you can think negatively, meaning stress about being stressed, it is also possible to think positively, meaning you don’t have to be stressed about being stressed anymore. A positive thought, you just have to wander and keep it in your mind for a prolonged period to be able to accept it.

Recap:

In our journey through “Stressing about Being Stressed,” we explored how common it is to feel overwhelmed by the pressures of everyday life, but it can become harmful when it spirals out of control. 

The Stress Loop: Stress can trigger more stress in a never-ending cycle. This loop can have detrimental effects on our mental and physical health, making it essential to break free from its grip. 

Lastly, we uncovered the benefits of keeping a Stress Journal to track our stress levels and identify patterns and triggers. By developing coping strategies and feeding ourselves positive responses, we can gradually reduce our stress levels and cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling life.

FAQs

• Q: How can I tell if I’m stressed about being stressed?

A: Signs and symptoms of being stressed about being stressed include increased anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, and a constant sense of dread. Recognizing these signs and seeking help is crucial.

• Q: What are some immediate steps I can take to manage stress?

A: Immediate steps include deep breathing exercises, engaging in physical activity, or practicing mindfulness. It’s also important to acknowledge your feelings and address them.

References:

1. American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Stress Basics. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/
2. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022, January 11). Stress: Signs, Symptoms, Management & Prevention. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987
3. National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). 5 Things You Should Know About Stress. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/
4. Robinson, L., Segal, J., & Smith, M. (2022, March). Stress Management.
5. Harvard Health Publishing. (n.d.). Understanding the stress response. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/stress/understanding-the-stress-response