Stress is one of those words that we use so often it can be hard to know what it
means. Stress comes in different degrees: Is what you're feeling stress,
Stress, or STRESS?
Everyday Stress
When we're talking about the first level of stress, we mean the usual pressures
of everyday life. For example:
- The stress of juggling everything you need to fit into a busy week.
This is the kind of stress you might feel if you have a term paper deadline plus a
math exam tomorrow, and you need to find time to do your normal homework, tutor the
kid you mentor, and hey, don't forget dance class.
- The stress you feel before an event that makes you nervous. This
is the stress that makes your palms sweat before you recite your lines in the school
play, give a presentation to your class, or buckle up to take your driver's test.
- The lingering stress you feel over things that happen in your daily life.
Maybe it's a misunderstanding with a good friend or stewing over whether you'll ask
your crush to a party.
Everyday stressors are not always easy, but they're not big disasters either. In
fact, a bit of everyday stress can actually be good. For example, the stress most
of us feel before presenting in class boosts our adrenaline and helps us perform at
our best.
The more practice we get at handling everyday challenges, the better we get at
dealing with challenges in general. The better we get at dealing, the less stressed
out we feel. It's like learning to ride a bike as a kid: Bumps in the road can look
pretty scary when you're wobbly and first starting out. But the more bumps we take,
the more confident we become. Before we know it, we're balanced and in control.
Everyday stress simply calls awareness to a situation that needs attention. It
reminds us to slow down, steady ourselves, focus, and get ready. We tackle these everyday
stressors by studying for exams, practicing a class presentation, or thinking about
how to work it out with a friend. Once we get to work on finding a way to solve the
problem, the pressure and stress ease.
Difficult Life Situations
Beyond everyday stress, there's the stress that can come from difficult life situations
— the ones that are pretty challenging but don't happen every day. We don't
get as much practice dealing with these medium-sized stressors (luckily!).
Moving, divorce, a painful
break-up, the death
of someone close, difficult emotions, family conflict — these things can create
stress that takes more time to resolve.
It might seem like the feelings
that come with these stressful situations will never go away. But the coping skills
we've built as we deal with everyday stress can kick in to help — even if we
don't realize it.
The stress that comes with difficult
life situations feels stronger and lasts longer than everyday stress. It can help
to learn more about how others have dealt with a similar situation; to talk about
what you're going through with someone close; and to get support or guidance to help
you work out, cope with, or adapt to, your specific situation.
Sometimes, though, stress can overwhelm our ability to cope. Maybe the stress is
just too strong, our coping skills aren't there, or the problem we have is too big.
That's when stress can get serious.