Tuesday, Lafayette, Indiana

Grinding Stress!

Ask any therapist and they will tell you that there is a significant spike in stress among people around this holiday period. It makes us wonder why we have trouble coping with this time of year when so much focus is placed on reminding us of the season’s theme of joy and regaining perspective. It is no small irony that more people seek out help from mental health professionals at a time of the year when the air is filled with themes of peace, serenity and sounds reminding us of silence.

Almost everyone who comes to see me will acknowledge that, of course they recognize that human life is unpredictable and uncontrollable. But like most of us, intellectual command and emotional management are not synonymous. What I know doesn’t mean I am immune from what I am feeling. My admission about fear of flying, for instance is obviously disconnected from my awareness that airline travel is far safer than driving, regardless of my feelings.

So It is not big news that modern life is stressful and the holidays bring it out in us. What is remarkable, however, is the scope of our angst. The United States leads the developed world in stress related, psychological problems. Studies show that a full 25% of us suffer with some form of psychological disorder. Evidence of this phenomenon can be seen in our passions for medications and mood altering distractions. Balancing our personal lives with the rigors of a career takes a toll on many of us. What’s going on?

Research indicates that our health is jeopardized when we lack an adequate social support system of family and friends. When combining our penchant for serial relocation and giving time to the media we end up too individualized and socially isolated. The result is that we lose the necessary cushion for coping with life’s pressures. And making matters worse, it has an impact on straining our marriages and our jobs. Are you stressed at work? Think about a change in your isolated lifestyle. The book Refrigerator Rights is a great place to start.

Ten signs that your job may be in jeopardy:

- At the first staff meeting after a big company merger, you meet a person with you exact same title and responsibilities. They are 10 years younger and better looking then you.

- For you birthday, your boss gives you a copy of the book Passages.

- Your co-workers have not made eye contact with you for two weeks.

- Your request for more staples is denied.

- You find out that you and your new superior have different political affiliations, root for opposing teams, and attend different churches with hostile theologies.

- You notice that the company trash includes remnants of your most recent report.

- You were not notified of the change of time for the meeting your organized.

- At a staff meeting you learn that “some divisions” are being transferred to Ethiopia.

- Human Resources informs you that you need to be drug tested daily.

- In the annual report, your image has been photoshopped out of the staff photo.