What do we mean when we think of the word stress? It is simply put, a common and normal physical response to challenging or new situations. It can also be defined as our body’s response to anything that requires attention or action. Too much of it can be paralyzing and manifest as physical, emotional or psychological strain and too little strain may lead to boredom, inaction and passivity.
There’s quite a lot of us who give our best under some amount of pressure. Didn’t we study better when under stress and check and re- check to ensure the presentation went well without any glitches. A glass half full can actually be a good thing then if we talk of stress and its impact on our work performance. When we think of stress we think of anxiety, lack of focus, control and creativity, poor management of time and other resources. Not all stress is bad though. A moderate level of stress is a good motivator. It sets the wheel in motion, and gets the job done in time effectively and efficiently. It’s like the little spark that lights the rocket to send it soaring high up in the sky and burst into radiant splendour.
The Yerkes Dodson law describes the empirical relationship between stress and performance. It proposes that with optimal levels of stress one can reach peak level of performance. Too little or too much stress can lead to poor performance. Optimal levels of stress may vary from individual to individual. It also depends on the complexity of the task to be performed. Routine tasks are easier and quicker to get done. Whereas complex tasks require more thought and organisation to accomplish. Here some stress works like the spark in achieving the goal. No stress may prove counterproductive in such a case with inertia setting in with little to no productivity. Too much stress may make one like a rabbit in headlights. To avoid being that rabbit one can practise mindfulness to stop the chattering of the wandering mind. Mindfulness is a simple yet effective tool. It is nothing but paying attention to the present in in an accepting, non-judgemental way. It helps you pause, reflect, plan and execute efficiently to achieve a healthy work life balance. Cultivating a hobby or two can prove to be a good distraction and relax and rejuvenate the mind, as would playing a sport or working out. As the renowned scientist Dr Hans Selye said “Stress isn’t necessarily bad for you, it is also the spice of life.” And spices make food and life interesting only when used in moderation. Joan Borysenko sums it up beautifully when she says that, “Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace ”.
