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Just that I have got stomach issue, for the last few months, gets me this question a lot: “are you stressed?” 

So what is stress?  In the dictionary, the definition goes from “importance attached to a thing”, “phonetics, accent or emphasis on syllables”, “emphasis in melody” to “physical pressure, pull or other things”.

It feels that it is something natural that would happen, yet many prefer stress-free life these day.  Is stress bad?   It depends on how you look at stress and whether you are looking for positive or negative.

What could be positive stress?

When we are nervous, tightened up, could not sleep well just before an important presentation, recital, competition and the like, that we just want to do everything to be at our very best.

• Tennis players playing in Wimbledon final or athletes competing in the Olympic games
• Job seekers attending interviews of a dream company or a dream job.
• Or presentation on topics that are important to you or the audience is important to you.

I think the physical body can take in the stress a bit, and earn the satisfaction of achievement after.

What could be the negative stress? Well, think of the stress in the following situations

• In a (company or country) culture that you don’t understand nor appreciate
• Tiring people dynamics that are in the way of your goals.
• Overwork on something that you don’t care about yet with unrealistic objective.

How to manage stress then?  Simply increase the positive and reduce the negative.

Assuming the stomach issue is related to stress, I am thankful that my stomach is offering real-time response to the state of my mind.  This is how the body and mind connect, isn’t it?

Posted in Career Management, Dear Diary