Big bad STRESS
Many people like to talk about stress as if it was some evil entity set upon the modern world’s destruction. However few seem to realise that stress and or pressure is a natural and needs influence upon our lives. The fact of the matter, surprisingly is that stress can actually be a good thing!
We use it to motivate us forward to propel us into the next level of achievement and excellent. It can of course, have detrimental effects after prolonged exposure or without sufficient coping mechanisms. Imagine the analogy of a storm drain that captures run off and excess water flow. Now you have two pipes leading in opposite directions over the crescent of a hill. One of the pipes is double the diameter of the other and can take double the water flow. It flows down the hill and into a single water processing station. However the other pipe at the bottom of the hill splits into 3 equal sized pipes, which flow to 3 different water processing stations.
It might, at first glance, seem that the larger pipe (the person who can take more on board, juggle more at once) might be able to cope better in a flood. However when it comes down to it the water still has to be processed somewhere. For the analogy, the quality of the work being down still has to be top notch. The second pipe however, splits into 3 other pipes, spreads the work load over the 3 stations. It has a ‘technique’ to deal with the floor when it comes, to not become overloaded.
Stress is what happens when the demands made on a person exceed that person’s ability to cope.
With sufficient employer consideration (good drainage, no accidental damage to the pipes) and appropriate employee coping mechanisms (delegation, time planning, appropriation of skills) there should be a comfortable and exciting ride ahead.
It is actually about balance.
Of course it will not be raining everyday and this is where balance comes into the analogy. Like the ebbing and flowing of the tides in the oceans, there must be a breathing in and a breathing out process for nature to be harmonious. This is by very definition what is the mission statement of Syntonium – to help people, groups and companies achieve a balance, a harmony with their environment. This balance will lead to the greatest output level for the most prolonged time using the least energy. As a result the individuals will grow in health physically, mentally and emotionally.
Please see the articles to the right on Stress for more details. In particular the ‘What is Stress’ article
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