The above processes can take their toll upon your emotional and physical health. The severity of the effects of continuous stress overload are generally enhanced and more pronounced in persons who have any combination of the following characteristics or "exacerbating factors":
1) Being over the age of 40;
2) Being prone to depression or anxiety;
3) Being prone to precision or perfectionism;
4) Working in a physically isolating environment (telecommuting or solopreneuring are perfect examples);
5) Working under intense (real or perceived) financial pressure;
6) Having a need to please others by saying "yes" when you mean to say "no" to their impositions upon your time or limited resources - this can also serve to make you more than a slight bit resentful;
7) Having a great many distractions (as opposed to productive "diversions") in your work environment;
8) Being immersed in a constant whirlwind of crisis management;
9) Being in a position (real or preceived) of great responsibility to those around you, or to those who have faith or trust in you.
10) Having an undefined working schedule where your work can consume all of your time - often without any relief or release.
Any or all of the above exacerbating conditions will make you even more vulnerable to stress overload. Below is a list of things to watch out for -- stress overload must be recognized, addressed and controlled; otherwise it can cause very real emotional and physical damage.
Signs and symptoms of stress overload
The following table lists some of the common warning signs and symptoms of stress. The more signs and symptoms you notice in yourself, the closer you may be to stress overload.
Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms | |
| Cognitive Symptoms | Emotional Symptoms |
|
|
| Physical Symptoms | Behavioral Symptoms |
|
|
Because of the widespread damage stress can cause, it’s important to know your own limit. But just how much stress is “too much” differs from person to person. Some people roll with the punches, while others crumble at the slightest obstacle or frustration. Some people even seem to thrive on the excitement and challenge of a high-stress lifestyle.
Your ability to tolerate stress depends on many factors, including the quality of your relationships, your general outlook on life, your emotional intelligence, and genetics.
Things that influence your stress tolerance level
- Your support network – A strong network of supportive friends and family members is an enormous buffer against life’s stressors. On the flip side, the more lonely and isolated you are, the greater your vulnerability to stress.
- Your sense of control – If you have confidence in yourself and your ability to influence events and persevere through challenges, it’s easier to take stress in stride. People who are vulnerable to stress tend to feel like things are out of their control.
- Your attitude and outlook – Stress-hardy people have an optimistic attitude. They tend to embrace challenges, have a strong sense of humor, accept that change is a part of life, and believe in a higher power or purpose.
- Your ability to deal with your emotions– You’re extremely vulnerable to stress if you don’t know how to calm and soothe yourself when you’re feeling sad, angry, or afraid. The ability to bring your emotions into balance helps you bounce back from adversity.
- Your knowledge and preparation – The more you know about a stressful situation, including how long it will last and what to expect, the easier it is to cope. For example, if you go into surgery with a realistic picture of what to expect post-op, a painful recovery will be less traumatic than if you were expecting to bounce back immediately.
How to Reduce, Prevent, and Cope with Stress
It may seem that there’s nothing you can do about your stress level. The bills aren’t going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day for all your errands, and your career or family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have a lot more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management.Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun – plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on.
Identify the sources of stress in your life
Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Your true sources of stress aren’t always obvious, and it’s all too easy to overlook your own stress-inducing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Sure, you may know that you’re constantly worried about work deadlines. But maybe it’s your procrastination, rather than the actual job demands, that leads to deadline stress.To identify your true sources of stress, look closely at your habits, attitude, and excuses:
- Do you explain away stress as temporary (“I just have a million things going on right now”) even though you can’t remember the last time you took a breather?
- Do you define stress as an integral part of your work or home life (“Things are always crazy around here”) or as a part of your personality (“I have a lot of nervous energy, that’s all”).
- Do you blame your stress on other people or outside events, or view it as entirely normal and unexceptional?
IMPORTANT NOTE: STRESS OVERLOAD TOOLKIT (courtesy of Douglas E Castle, the frequently over-stressed Chairman of TNNWC Group, LLC, and a professsional negotiator):
1) A support network of confidantes you can discuss issues with;
2) A partner or two -- going it alone is very, very punishing;
3) Defined working hours, beyond which you will not work, and will not think about work;
4) Things to do (exercise, education, recreation, and other things) that force you to leave your work behind;
5) To have people (not virtual...but real) around you for a period of time each day;
6) A daily time for meditation or music;
7) Weekly social activities - they don't have to be complicated, formal or expensive -- they just have to get you out of your work space.
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There's a reason that you'll find so many entrepreneurs at Starbucks and other Wi-Fi accessible places. It's not the coffee. It the feeling of the flow of Human life and activity around them that keeps them from feeling too isolated.
Faithfully, and in the spirit of good health and entrepreneurship,
p.s. Remember to make LINKS 4 LIFE a favorite. Just click on http://lifelinksiep.blogspot.com/.
Original Article Title: "ENTREPRENEUR HEALTH ALERT: STRESS OVERLOAD."
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NOTICE: This article is Copyright © 2011 by author Douglas E Castle with all rights reserved. It may be republished without permission provided that it is published in full, with all hyperlinks and exhibits left intact, and with full attribution given the author. This article does not contain or constitute medical, health, psychological, legal, regulatory, investment, securities, financial, tax, or any other form of professional advice -- the reader acknowledges and accepts this disclaimer. Further, the reader indemnifies and holds harmless both the author and all publications in which this article appears of any damages, claims, loss, responsibility or liability emerging from the reader’s utilization of any information contained herein.
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