Stress Awareness Month: Debunking common misconceptions about stress
Stress is a common factor which affects several people in different ways, but several myths exist.
By Neelambaran A
Stress is normal and affects every person in different ways. Many myths about it exist. The misconceptions can lead people to misunderstand and handle stress in the wrong way. Itās important to understand whatās true about stress so people can manage it effectively and protect themselves from deteriorating physical and mental health.
Dr G Krishna Mohan Reddy, consultant physician and diabetologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, debunked five common myths about stress.
1. Myth: Everyone experiences stress in the same way.
Fact: Stress is very personal. What stresses out one person might inspire or even make another individual happy. A common example is that a high-pressure job may excite one person while overwhelming another. Effective stress management requires an understanding of the individual stress reactions.
2. Myth: Stress is never healthy.
Fact: The truth is that not all stress is bad. Actually, a healthy dose of stress can improve motivation, productivity and focus. Eustress, or āgood stressā enables an individual to overcome obstacles and develop. Chronic or excessive stress causes issues and can harm oneās health.
3. Myth: Iām not stressed if Iām not experiencing any symptoms.
Fact: The truth is that stress can be subtle and silent. Many people are unaware that they are under stress until they experience physical or mental symptoms like headaches, exhaustion, worry or lack of concentration. Itās important to pay attention to early warning symptoms because untreated stress can worsen over time and impair health.
4. Myth: Success comes from stress.
Fact: Achievement is not a synonym for stress, even though success may bring with it obligations that lead to stress. Long-term stress affects mental clarity, creativity and productivity. Someone may achieve success without compromising their well-being by changing the way they think and taking proactive measures to manage stress.
Myth 5: Stress is unavoidable and out of your control.
Fact: Each and every individual has control over how they react to stress, even if stress is frequently inevitable. The effects of stress can be considerably lessened by practices including setting priorities, getting regular exercise, practising mindfulness and looking for social support. One-size-fits-all approaches to stress management are less successful than customised ones.
