Tag Archives: distress

Are you Annoyed?

Sometimes we are angry or irritated.  This can be a mild form of annoyance to the more extreme case where a person could be described as being “fit to be tied”

Historically this expression relates to constraining a bull so that it can be handles.  Bulls are known for expressing their annoyance, or perhaps it could be called anger, in very physical ways thus the need for constraint.

Keep Control

When you are feeling annoyed this is often readily reflected in your behaviour and can result in less than optimal outcomes.  In these situations allowing our annoyance (although perhaps very valid for us to be annoyed), causes us to act more based on emotion.

Our feelings are real to us and a very important aspect of both our individuality and overall humanity however it can cloud our logical thinking processes leading to emotional satisfying but truly illogical behaviour.

Consider Outcomes

The best approach to using your annoyance in a positive way is to take the time to consider outcomes.   Acting precipitously based on what are powerful feelings can make you feel good in the moment, but the key question is “Will you regret it.”

I occasionally wonder the value of strong emotions as they can result in actions we question afterwards and perhaps even really regret.

However, there is real value in our ability to portray emotion for others to understand how we feel but this is best done in a way that does not lead to an adverse response.  Emoting works best when used in a practical way.

So next time you are annoyed consider the best way to use those feeling to achieve your goals and resolve whatever is annoying you in the first place.

 

 

 

Focus on Mental Well Being

While diet and exercise can be two key methods of maintaining good physical health, mental tranquility is the foundation of good health.  

Stress on your brain can weaken your entire body and regardless of your overall physical health, make you susceptible to disease or inexplicable aches and pains.

Managing Stress

Contrary to common belief, all stress is not harmful to your well being, in fact, a lack of good stress or eustress can be detrimental.  

The research of Hungarian/Canadian endocrinologist Hans Selye into our response to stressors showed that certain stress events led to positive biological reactions, while others, which can be labeled distress, were negative. 

(Note:  I  have simplified his concepts) 

When managing your stress it is important to classify the stressor a eustress or distress (this can vary by individual) and calculate your response accordingly.  

Eustress or Distress

Consider the retiree.  Eustress studies revealed those who retired and did not replace their daily purpose (work) with other activities (hobbies, travel, etc), were likely to die within 9 to 12 months of retirement.  

While some talk about the stress of work, worries about events, schedules, finances, in fact, these provide a biological incentive to the body and thus in a sense are life-sustaining, their lack is detrimental.

On the other hand, stresses with the negative impact that we consider out of our control (e.g. loss of a loved one, loss of employment) are the ones to both avoid if possible, or if unavoidable, (at a very minimum) accept and move on. 

Distress spirals out of control and can be very damaging to our well-being unless we can defuse it.  Basically accepts those things that just “are what they are” and move on.