This is a short blog.
It is a take on how we deal with the overwhelming stresses which can face us.
Stress has many causes. Perhaps personal, political or employment related, or maybe health, work, family or financial?
Situations can be self made or as a result of outside forces and circumstances.
We have much more choice in how we deal with stressful situations than we realize, and most can be traced back to choices we made at certain points in our lives.
Comparisons to the Natural Elements.
To simplify what is meant, comparisons can be made to the elements of the natural world.
We already know about the elements, water, air, fire and earth, and we know that they can all have variations on how they manifest themselves.
On the one hand each of the elements can exert huge, frightening and damaging pressure on the world, or can deliver a calming, therapeutic, relaxing influence.
If caught up in any of these aggressive stressors, for example a major flooding incident, there are two choices, either face it or move away from it. Fight or flight.
There will always be a degree of X factor, for example during floods, hurricanes, forest fires, and earthquakes, extreme damage, loss of life and property may be inevitable .
Unless part of the rescue team, who will generally face the aggressor, the usual response is to move away from the source causing anxiety.
Choices
The dilemma is what to do after avoiding the worst of the impact?
Should the area be visited again with a view to rebuilding? Should the area be abandoned and a new area be chosen?
Lessons have to be learned.
Is there likely to be a repeat of the situation, if so why?
Are there reasons which could be rectified? Are there ways to redesign any future solutions?
The decision may be that permanent removal from the threat is the preferred option.
A new start creating a complete change and rebuilding life elsewhere.
The secret is in the choice that is made and how that choice is arrived at.
Once the aggressor settles, a period of calm follows. It is the period between aggression and calm which is important, how we get from one to the other.
Clearly the state of calmness is preferred to one of stress and anxiety. It is the end goal which should be worked towards as long term stress is unacceptable and badly affects mental health.
The analogy of the flooding incident shows that the immediate reaction is to move away from the situation followed by questions of whether the area will be safe to return to, will the incident happen again or to remove any doubt should relocation be the answer.
The choice of decision depends on the amount of stress involved and how it is dealt with. Will the uncertainty of not knowing if flooding will recur act as a long term stressor, or will it be seen as a one off and therefore just short term anxiety?In order to remove any doubt should the answer be to move completely away? These are all choices which we make which will affect stress levels and long term futures.
Changes
Unsurprisingly, many find it difficult to make the transition from stress to calmness. Carrying an unsettling negative mindset can be very difficult to shake off.
Once a way can be found to replace negative thought processes with more calm and positive ones, it will revolutionize a person`s outlook.
Whatever has been causing stress will not remain exactly the same in the long term. There will generally be changes of some sort.
When calmness is achieved, then any remaining stress can be managed and a new path negotiated.
The thing to remember is that nothing stays the same for ever. If one can hold on to that fact and have confidence in own self belief with a change of mindset, then the worst will pass and an improved outlook will follow.
Opt In for for updates!