Well, it’s almost January 1st 2012, and the comments I am hearing are these: “this has been the worst year of my life”, “this year just about killed me”, “I can’t wait for 2012, it can’t come quickly enough”, and “please bring on 2012 so I can leave 2011 BEHIND ME!!!!”
As you can imagine, there is a fair degree of stress behind these words, as people look back and review the past 12 months. For many, there has been heartbreak of both a business and the personal kind. Such a lot of business’ closed, homes were lost through floods or fire, banks foreclosed on homes as jobs or business’ have been lost, relationships seem to have been stretched too thin, and personal health has also taken a beating.
The cause of it all? In a word – STRESS
If you respond to stressful events in a stressful way, your perception of the stressors you are experiencing, triggers the release of cortisol and adrenalin. These are hormones that will impact on your health and well-being by interrupting your body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS).
This means your immune system, your digestive system, your elimination systems (skin, bowel and kidneys), and your limbic system that controls your emotions will be affected. You may go from being balanced and happy to an emotional see-saw, from being able to think clearly to having no memory and a brain that feels like sludge. Your skin may be affected, and your hair and nails. Your appetite may either increase or decrease, and your health and life-giving habits may disappear, such as eating regularly, getting exercise, and drinking sufficient water.
Other habits that may manifest are drinking alcohol to excess, turning to drugs, or caffeine or chocolate, or even prescription medications. The longer your stressors continue, the worse this may become.
Instead of looking at these events as the worst things that can happen to you, consider what strengths may emerge during this time. Perhaps you are finding a reservoir of energy that you weren’t aware of? Maybe you are learning new skills that will stand you in good stead?
Many business people find that they develop consistent and productive habits, increase creativity and become more resourceful when they are facing stressful challenges.
Changing your focus to a journey that gives you learning experiences, may allow you to stop being dependant on success for your feelings of self-worth. You are worthy, with or without successful events, simply because you are you.
You might like to have a psychologist check on your stress levels at: http://livelife2themax.com.au/depression-survey/