MICRO- STRESSORS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT 

 

Small annoyances are bound to happen to everyone on daily basis.

they may not garner much solace due to their trivial nature.

but things might start up adding up soon.

Annoyances such as -

• The internet / WIFI Breakdowns amidst your significant online purchase/ transactions.

• Missing your Train because you left your mask at home.

• The dishwasher breaking down abruptly.

• One getting stuck in Traffic jam while expecting to attend an important event.

Such events happens to all of us and might seems innocuous.

But experts says ''Micro- Stressors''  are big concerns. They are required to be managed effectively and in a calm and composed manner.

Such day to day annoyance happen to us all, and might seem innocuous. But experts say ''micro- stressors'' are big problem. Events that disrupts our lives and routines, and feel beyond our control, can make us feel powerless an drained energetically, if our life is already very highly demanding. Research shows daily low level stress can add up to the feeling of anxiety and depression, and impact our health and immunity

''To the outside world, they may seem trivial and people might think you have got anger issues, but its actually just the accumulation of all these micro-stressors finally taking their toll'', says research.

Its precisely because these small annoyances seem petty or insignificant to others that you wont receive the kind of support you might get for bigger issues like, say, serious illnesses or bereavement, she adds. Nobody drops off a casserole because they heard you had a rough commute,'' she adds.

Equally, while we're good at seeking support or advice when enduring a major stress, with a micro- stress we soldier on and don't mention it. But ultimately, that can make it feel bigger.

Even before COVID, Many people had begun to feel like bystanders in their own lives, Many PhD Researchers stressed that fulfilling others' demands and suppressing their own desires while meaningful moments passed unnoticed, beauty went unseen, ad connections were dropped.

But pandemic has created an abundance of daily new nuances to contend with, from navigating the complexities of booking a foreign holiday to ordering your drinks in a pub via app.

All stress is potential stress - Its really our own interpretation of it. How up to the task are we ? are we well rested? are we eating well? Do we feel good about our personal life ?

All these questions helps to determine just how we interpret  any potential stressor that arises.

In that regard, everybody tackles it differently because everybody's situation is different.

Similarly, failing to deal with micro- stress can also lead to bad decision making , turning to alcohol cigarette or junk food, or hiding away, reducing exercise and social connections.

in a ten years study , researchers found that people who are easily upset due to adverse situations and who continue to dwell on their negative feelings are more likely to suffer from subsequent health problems such as arthritis pain, cardio- vascular complications mental health issues.

However - there is a good news - people can change their reactivity to situations which acts as daily stressors. One of the best advantages of ageing is that people become less reactive to daily stressors. Perhaps due ti greater experience of dealing with life's slings and arrows or maybe its just the different types of stressors we have to deal with as we age.

A Little stress in your life is a good thing, and can improve your cognitive function if it creates an opportunity to solve a problem. it is impossible to rid ourselves of most of the irritations and anxieties that pop up in our daily lives.

FOUR WAYS TO MANAGE MICRO - STRESS

LOOK FORWARD

Imagining what your future self might think about a current stressor has been shown to reduce the emotional toll of it.

For Example, as upsetting as an interaction with that annoying co-worker might be today, fast forwarding from the current situation to a year in your future might help you take it less personally and see it as less permanent.

Recognizing the nature of hassle can reduce the stress you feel about it.

LAUGH

Finding humor in everyday life relieves stress and brings about feelings of fulfilment and vitality.

A sense of humor can even change the way  stress is perceived.

DONT TAKE IT PERSONALLY

Whenever possible, take a positive approach to a problem you're facing. The more negatively you response the the situation, the more stressful you experience it to be and more lasting impact it will have on your mood. you are more likely to take a setback personally- Blaming yourself - Is this my fault?

Simple, your mood and and energy influence whether or not a potential hassle becomes an actual one.

GO OUTSIDE

Putting some Distance between you and whatever is bothering you can help take the sting out of an everyday upsetting event.

Immersing yourself in nature lifts us out of self- immersion. If i could , I would prescribe a daily half and hour walk outside to all those able to do so.