Sanding the Rough Edges

Coping with Crisis and Stress – Part 2

Stress is an everyday occurrence. We learn how to adapt so we can reach our deadlines, hand in our paperwork, or prepare for the big exam or meeting. Stress happens to all of us. We need to learn how to adapt or we will be run over by the sheer force of it.

There are different types of stress and when we learn how to cope with them, we can overcome.

Distress is when our routines are altered and discomfort or a feeling of unfamiliarity occurs. There are two types of distress.

Acute stress is a stress that is intense, it comes quickly and then disappears. It is the kind of stress that comes from having to pick up the kids to take them to practice, cooking dinner, and the car is low on fuel. You press on and do the best you can. It’s stressful but bearable as this happens quite frequently.

Chronic stress is stress that hangs on for days, weeks, months or even years. This could be brought on by losing a job due to “downsizing” or a pandemic or health reasons. At first the days drag on, then weeks and months. It is hard to get up in the morning and you feel nauseous and very tired. To help deal with chronic stress, you need to recognize how you are feeling and work on the areas that you control over. Feeling that you can accomplish some things will help face the ones you don’t have control over. Find friends or family members who will listen to you and will work with you to find answers or provide possible solutions. At times, you may have to seek out a counselor who will help guide you to find peace so you can get on with life. Remember that your family is a viable and loving support team in times of stress.