As deadlines loom, do you rely on a stress-fueled adrenaline rush to sharpen your wits and give you the burst of energy you need to complete the project? If this has become your modus operandi, you could be addicted to stress, relying on your body’s chemical response to stress to push productivity.
Stress is a systemic response that affects the entire body. Stress triggers the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that impact the function of everything from your brain, heart and lungs to your memory, digestion and sleep. (Interested readers can find a detailed description of how stress affects the mind and body on New York Times Health Guide.)
Repeated episodes of stress have been linked to numerous chronic diseases, including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems and accelerated aging. (Find out more about stress-related health problems on WebMD.) However, in some people stress elicits a feeling of euphoria similar to the dopamine rush of addiction.
In Stressaholic: 5 Steps to Transform Your Relationship with Stress, author Heidi Hanna explores the addictive nature of stress and how to enjoy the benefits of stress safely. “We don’t want a world without stress,” Hanna says, “because we need that stimulation for growth.” She argues that the stress of pushing ourselves outside our comfort zone is essential to personal and professional growth. The problem with a life lived on stress’ razor edge is that people develop a tolerance to stress. Over time, it requires increasingly greater levels of stress to produce the same cortisol and adrenaline rush; encouraging people to take on more time, work, family and social commitments to increase stress. It’s a no-win scenario that is ultimately disastrous for your health.
How can you tame stress, remain productive and live a healthier life? The prescription is simple: Learn to relax, get a good night’s sleep (7-8 hours), take periodic meditation breaks during the day, include physical exercise in your daily schedule and nurture social relationships.
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