How many times a day do you find yourself saying “ack! I’m so stressed out?” If you’re running a family, a business, and your life, I am guessing at least once. It can be challenging finding balance amidst the chaos and feeling like it all comes together each day.
Stress is an unavoidable part of life. Whether it’s meeting deadlines, managing family responsibilities, or navigating unexpected challenges, everyone experiences stress. However, we might mot realize that at the root, the common desire isn’t necessarily to eliminate stress entirely but to reduce the intensity of our reactions to stressful events.
Stress, in itself, is not the enemy. It’s the way we react to stress that can be problematic. What one person perceives as stressful, another might barely notice, and yet another might even find thrilling. This difference in perception highlights that stress is highly individual and subjective.
I’d like to take some time to focus on the type of stress that triggers a reaction of tension and anxiety. This type of stress response can heavily tax both the body and mind, often making people feel as though they are merely reacting to life’s circumstances rather than actively managing them. This kind of reaction is counterproductive and depletes our energy reserves.
When I am working with a client to manage stress, I take a holistic approach and explore various influencers in our lives that trigger these stress reactions. By identifying these sources, we can develop strategies to manage our responses more effectively. The goal is not to eliminate stress but to transform our relationship with it, ensuring it doesn’t drain our energy and hinder our wellbeing.
Types of Stress and the 3 Pillar Approach
Combing a transformational ideology using the pillars of spiritual, physical, and mental wellbeing with COR.E Dynamics coaching, I teach that stress manifests in various forms, each affecting us differently. In this approach, we look at six main kinds of stress:
Spiritual Stress: This occurs when your actions or circumstances lead you to question your values, purpose, goals, connection, or beliefs. It can be deeply unsettling, causing you to feel disconnected from your core self and questioning your place in the world.
Mental Stress: This type of stress arises from overburdening your mind, whether through multitasking, overcommitting, or dealing with conflicting demands. It can also occur when tasks are either too boring or excessively challenging, leading to feelings of frustration and overwhelm.
Emotional Stress: Emotional stress happens when your needs, desires, or expectations are unmet. It can also be triggered by situations you don’t understand or know how to navigate, or when you struggle to express your emotions effectively. This type of stress can be particularly draining, as it directly impacts your emotional wellbeing.
Physical Stress: Physical stress results when your body is not functioning optimally or when it is subjected to conditions it is not accustomed to. This could be due to lack of sleep, poor nutrition, illness, or physical overexertion. Physical stress not only affects your body but can also influence your mental and emotional states.
Social Stress: Social stress occurs when your social environment is not conducive to your wellbeing. This might involve conflicts with others, feelings of isolation, or navigating challenging social dynamics. The quality of your relationships and social interactions plays a significant role in your overall stress levels.
Environmental Stress: This type of stress arises when your surroundings hinder your ability to function optimally. Environmental stressors can include noise, pollution, overcrowding, or living in an area that feels unsafe. Such conditions can create a constant backdrop of stress that impacts your daily life.
By understanding these different types of stress, we can begin to identify the specific influencers in our lives that contribute to our stress reactions. In the upcoming weeks, we will explore each of these stress types in greater detail, providing insights and strategies to help you manage and mitigate their impact.
When you look at these types of stress, what comes up for you? Drop a comment below. I’d love to hear what is on your mind!
