Cheryl Greenberg, Ed.D.Dr. Cheryl Greenberg, Ed.D., works as a coach, or guide, for seniors and their families as they consider and plan for changes in their personal and work lives. Contact her at [email protected] or 336-202-5669.
Stress — That Old Familiar Feeling.
Feeling edgy and unsettled? Have tightness in your chest? Eating more and sleeping less?
We know what stress feels like. We know it isn’t good for us. But we often don’t know what to do about it.
Stress — Inevitable and Helpful.
Stress is a reality of life. Frankly, if we didn’t have stress, we wouldn’t do anything.
Biological stressors tell us to get out of bed and eat enough food each day. Emotional stressors tell us to look both ways before we cross the street and to move away from people who feel threatening.
Life events involve more powerful and consequential stresses. We may be excited about a trip to the coast or look forward to house guests. We may appreciate being recruited for a well-known volunteer group. Yet, as lovely as it is to look ahead at these opportunities, they are changes and involve the uncomfortable stress of “something new.”
And, of course, there are stresses related to illness, financial decisions, caregiving responsibilities, and the external world of the economy, government, and politics. These also involve change and often the overwhelming stress of “something new.”
Stress Builds on Stress.
Our bodies respond to stress with hormones that interfere with our sense of well-being, our psychological comfort, and even our physical health. It is simply difficult to stay as healthy as we would like when our hormones are screaming “avoid”, “scram”, “escape”. And as we feel less well, we stress about that. It is a circular process of stress building on stress.
Stress is Yours to Control.
So, stress is inevitable, but it does not have to control us.
In the Substack, “Curated for Good Trouble,” SB Rawz, a Business and Empowerment Coach, and I focus on two ways to reduce stress:
Good Stuff is Happening Too!
- Notice pleasant and positive parts of your daily life.
- Think about the person who offered to help you with your heavy groceries or complimented your smile.
- Make detailed plans for changes in your life…and congratulate yourself for getting ready for these new events.
- Read and share news articles about people who are making a difference by, for example, organizing food drives and mentoring students.
- Thank your state or national representatives when they vote for a bill you support.
Make Good Trouble.
- Find ways that you can actively support the programs and policies you value.
- Do you think the public library is short-handed? Volunteer a few hours a week.
- Are you concerned that older adults are victims of fraud or don’t know enough about healthy living? Offer talks about these subjects. (AARP will provide training and scripts!)
- Do you disagree with a law or public policy? Call your representatives to advocate for your values and perspective.
Mild stress is human, a motivator for the everyday activities of daily living, like eating and watching where you walk. More powerful stress can be a motivator for taking control, feeling the positives, and making an impact.
Would you like to talk about activities for your fulfilling future or other questions about this new period in your life? Contact Dr. Cheryl Greenberg at [email protected].