Sharpen your axe: Manage your stress

 SHARPEN YOUR AXE: MANAGE YOUR STRESS 

Sometimes, in order to get ahead, you have to pause to sharpen your axe.
Recently, I attended a meeting that changed the way I approach my daily activities and work significantly, PROPELLING ME TO WORK SMARTER RATHER THAN HARDER. One of the presenters stood up and told us a story that immediately caught my attention and changed my thinking.

This is how she started:

In a certain country, there was a very hardworking lumberjack who really loved his work and was determined to do his best to get the rewards he deserved. The man would wake up very early in the morning, take his axe, and go out to cut down some trees. In the first few days, or even weeks, things were going well, and he was able to earn a lot of money. But as time passed, despite his efforts, the number of trees he was able to cut started to decrease.

He began to think about what to do and eventually came to the conclusion that he should prolong his working hours, wake up earlier, and skip breakfast to gain more time for work, hoping to increase his production. But to his surprise, things only got worse, leaving him exhausted and unsure of what to do.

One day, an old man who had been watching him work silently for a while approached him and said, "Man, I’ve been noticing your work since you started, and I’ve been doing the same job for 30 years. I know things aren’t going right, but there’s one thing you need to fix, and everything will fall into place. That thing is none other than sharpening your axe. When you started, your axe was new, and it cut through the trees very quickly, but as time passed, it got dull and cracked and couldn’t do its job. The only thing you need to do is fix your axe. Every morning, make it a point to take some time to sharpen it, and don’t feel like it’s a waste of time. That time will reward you. You’ll earn more than you ever thought possible."

The man was so happy, and the moment he practiced the old man’s advice, things changed, and his profit and production multiplied.

Abraham Lincoln's quote 

Similarly, we sometimes may focus on working harder rather than smarter, neglecting things that would eventually make our lives better. We fail to plan, to take good quality time with our loved ones, show no interest in socializing or staying informed, rest or care for our physical health. This leads to exhaustion and less productivity. Yet, if we had taken the time to evaluate ourselves and sharpen our axes, things could have changed dramatically.

So, as the title says, let's go a little deeper into the topic of stress and its aspects

WHAT IS STRESS & HOW DOES STRESS DEVELOP?

According to the World Health Organization, Stress is defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. 

Many people associate stress with negativity, however, when it is in moderation, it can be beneficial because it is that inner drive that pushes us to take action and accomplish tasks. You wonder how?  Stress motivates us to meet our deadlines, keeps us alert, and helps us avoid danger. In reality, stress is a natural response to life's challenges, and everyone experiences it to a certain degree. Nevertheless, the issue arises when stress exceeds a healthy level, negatively affecting our overall well-being.

Causes of stress

According to Dr. Deepti Bhargava and Hemant Trivedi, all events or perceived challenges that provoke stress are called stressors, and they cover a wide range of circumstances. Stress may be caused by financial issues, health problems, relationships, school, work, and lack of time management amongst others

Symptoms

Maybe one of you might be asking; ” how would I know that I have stress?” 

As a matter of fact, stress manifests itself in various ways, affecting both the body and mind and yet people might respond differently to a similar stressor. 


The common symptoms of stress

  • Headaches

  • Fatigue

  • Tense muscles, sore neck and back

  • Anxiety, worry, or phobias

  • Insomnia

  • Boredom or Depression

  • Irritability

  • Bad eating habits

  • Bouts of anger

  • Constipation or

  • Restlessness

Consequences of stress

As aforementioned, a little stress can be beneficial and assist in carrying out our daily tasks. However, when it goes beyond, it affects both physical and mental health.

Effects on physical health

When stress is too much to bear, it affects all the systems of the body including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems. Moreover, it is linked to six leading causes of death such as heart diseases, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, liver cirrhosis and suicide.

  • Cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, heart disease, and a high risk of stroke

  • Muscle tension, migraines, and chronic back or neck pain

  • Aggravate breathing problems, especially for people with chronic asthma

  • Digestive problems and

  • Skin problems such as acne




Effects on mental health

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Sleep disorders

  • Cognitive impairments

Chronic stress may impair not only our physical and mental health but hinder our behavior change where one may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms or lead to social isolation.


How can we manage stress mostly at work? 

  1. Relaxation response:  These include deep abdominal breathing, focus on a soothing word (such as peace or calm), visualization of tranquil scenes, repetitive prayer, yoga, and tai chi.

  2. Physical activity: Exercise, such as taking a brisk walk shortly after feeling stressed, not only deepens breathing but also helps relieve muscle tension.

  3. Social support: Confidants, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, relatives, spouses, and companions all provide a life-enhancing social net — and may increase longevity.

  4. Set priorities: Determine things that if not done might lead to far negative consequences and do it before others that seem less urgent.

  5. Learn to say NO: In this life, for some people saying no is a struggle, but instead of exhausting yourself, it is better to say NO politely. For instance: NO, I will not be available or I will be doing something else.

  6. Plan: Once Benjamin Franklin said, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. In reality, planning is very essential in our lives as it helps us stay organized and on track in our  work hence diminishing stress levels

  7. Seek Professional assistance: If stress becomes too much to handle, think about reaching out to a mental health expert. Therapy or counseling can offer effective strategies for managing stress.

Small tips to relieve our stress ( practice that which works for you) 

You may also try to:

  • Keep daily routine

  • Focus on what you have done instead of what you haven’t by the end of the day

  • Don’t be hard to yourself, just count your blessings. It could have been worse

  • Take a journey

  • Play with kids

  • Take walks during break

  • Count your blessings

  • Stay around happy and positive people

  • Engage in a fun game or enjoyable activity 

  • Live while you still can




Fun fact about stress




Eustress is the term used to say a positive stress essential to boost our performance.



By identifying what causes you stress and applying these strategies, you can better manage stress and improve your overall well-being.

REMEMBER: A dull axe won’t fall a tree, no matter how strong the man wielding it.


References

American Pstchological Association. (2018, November 1). Stress effects on the body. https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body

Clevelandclinic. (n.d.). What is stress? Cleveland Clinic. 

            https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11874-stress

Denny, L. (2018, July 25). 20 interesting facts about stress. Back Pain Specialist San Francisco CA | San Francisco Spine Pain Relief Center. 

            https://sfchiro.org/20-interesting-facts-about-stress/

Harvard Health Publishing. (2020, July 6). Understanding the stress response. Harvard Health. 

           https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response

Mental Health Foundation. (n.d.). How to manage and reduce stress. 

           https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-manage-and-reduce-stress

Thatcher, T. (2022, November 22). The top ten benefits of spending time with family. Highland Springs. 

          https://highlandspringsclinic.org/the-top-ten-benefits-of-spending-time-with-family/

World Health Organization. (2023, February 21). Stress. World Health Organization (WHO). 

          https://www.who.int//news-room/questions-and-answers/item/stress/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_4S3BhAAEiwA_64YhmLaYHRwVhshCExlxUYvFBVOPmYCW2towx0fzhpXBaPmUN3G_c9GExoCbQwQAvD_BwE

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