The majority of Americans would concede to the fact that stress is a disturbing and disliked part of our everyday lives. Stress ranges from a variety of levels throughout our daily lives. These circumstances may include one to most of the following, depending on one’s stage in life: waking up on time to make an important meeting, recalling the details of an event to explain at a work meeting, picking up the kids from sporting events and band practices, checking in on aging parents and worrying about their health throughout the day, living a healthy lifestyle, and managing romantic and social relationships. There has also been research performed that demonstrates the impact of financial and workplace stress on the demands of a relationship (Sanbonmatsu, D. M., Hill, J. B., Moore, S. M., Behrends, A. A., & Uchino, B. N., 2014); several areas of our lives play into how we interpret and experience stress, with the ability of each category to effect another. There continues to be an increase in individual responsibilities as well as the amount of expectations put on people that leads to a significant increase in stress (Ziegler, 2014). Stress can exhibit itself in physical as well as emotional ways, having severe effects on the body as well as the mind.
Above, Kelly McGonigal (2012) dissects the incredibly disturbing impacts of our outlook on stress. Her main point of research focuses not so much on experiencing stress but rather on paying attention to how we respond to stress. She explains that, on average, humans who interpreted their stress with a continuous, negative outlook actually had an earlier death rate. In comparison, individuals lived longer who may have experienced the same amount or type of stress as those mentioned before but who instead viewed their own stressful, physical reactions as a more productive and preparation to perform (or react) rather than as such a negative experience to be avoided or even fearful of. In addition, social interactions and a general feeling of connectedness have been shown to increase happiness levels as well as positive well-being and an increased experience of everyday life and experiences (Cacioppo, J. T. and Hawkley, L. C., 2003).
How would the lives of Americans improve if they had a better grasp on dealing with stress? What type of coping mechanisms could potentially change the way people deal with everyday stressors?
Human Development By, Stefanie Carlander 