Stress

It’s a lie to say that there is no stress; stress is always present, whether at work, at home, or in any situation involving human interaction or expectations. 

Forget external expectations; your self-expectations; the image you have of yourself (good or bad) that you want to maintain leads to stress. I am not a stranger to this. But for a long time, I didn’t recognize it.

Over time, I’ve learned to recognize stress because my body reacts in different ways: tiredness, lethargy, skin issues, and pain in certain parts of the body. These symptoms appear together or individually during high-stress periods. I’ve come to realize that my problem isn’t physiological, but rather a reflection of the stress I’m experiencing, even if I don’t appear stressed outwardly.

I’m trying to refine how I handle stress. It’s important when you are stressed and learn how to manage it, rather than denying its existence. My approach to handling stress has evolved as I’ve aged and worked in various settings. Some strategies have been consistent, such as planning ahead. When big changes aren’t possible, focus on smaller steps, like making one change a day. This way, I achieve something without overthinking it. It’s like saving monthly instead of in bulk; over time, it builds up. Similarly, at work, if you chip away at tasks daily, you’ll eventually see the final result.

Managing expectations has been the most challenging aspect. It’s not easy to meet others’ expectations, but good communication can help. I’m working on this as a continuous process. Each new person I interact with requires a different communication approach. There are some standards, but they don’t always apply.  Meditation and self-reflection helps in managing self-expectations. “Not every day is a great day” or “I am allowed to fail” or “I’m not perfect every day” help.

Other methods include incorporating workout and social time. I had stopped cycling, walking, and attending Cross-fit and yoga, but I’ve restarted some of these activities (specially walking) as they are essential stress busters. Meeting friends and engaging in entertainment also helps me relax. Even with a busy schedule, I make it a point to set aside half an hour to 45 minutes, or one day a month, to spend with friends, go to a movie, or eat out. Just talking to them normalizes your expectations, and close friends keep you grounded.

Recognizing that stress is a part of life and learning to handle it has been the biggest lesson. In fact, my body forced me to learn it.