Always Crazy Busy? Warning Signs you May be Addicted to Stress.
Sometimes it’s important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it’s essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow. ~Douglas Pagels
Do you ever have days where you start to really wonder why you repeatedly put yourself in stressful situations?
A little stress in your life is actually good for you. It fuels your creativity and keeps your immune system alert. The key word is little. When you find yourself constantly rushing from activity to activity with no personal time for yourself, it may be time for you to consider that it’s not the external world that is persistently making its way to your doorstep; rather there’s a need within you to keep opening the door! And there’s a good chance you may be addicted to the adrenalin rush of stress.
When you have free time, do you have trouble knowing what to do yourself?
It may seem that “addiction” is a harsh word to use for simply being busy all the time. However consider this … stress stimulates the production of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Over time that surge of hormones can actually become addictive and in order to get that feeling again, you need more stress.
It’s that energy or “high” that makes you feel like you can do anything, that you can really accomplish something great. The problem is this feeling can create a false sense of control.
Warning signs you may be addicted to stress
- Moving, eating or walking rapidly and frequently multi-tasking
- Hurrying the ends of sentences or talking over others
- Constantly feeling rushed and impatient
- Feeling lost when not working and guilty about relaxation
- Wanting to be in charge of everything
- Thinking about work while vacationing – or constantly coming up with reasons to avoid vacations all together
- Bragging about how busy you always are
- Trying to increase work over ever-shorter time periods
- Having trouble focusing on conversations
- You have nervous habits
- Relating success to time; i.e., speed is everything
How easily we become addicted to stress
The ability to handle stress can enhance self-esteem. We attach value to the fact that we are able to handle stress with grace and ease. We’re proud to say we work in organizations that no one else would ever put up with, or for difficult people, or in a 24/7 industry during very stressful times. It becomes our strength, special skill and how we defined who we are. We begin to crave those environments to feel good about ourselves.
And sometimes it’s just “easier” to obsess about work, cleaning, or home just to avoid what’s really bothering us. Stress can become a safe place. It can make you feel important, needed, in control of situations and even in control of other people.
What if you enjoy the stress?
Even if you thrive on stress, you may be putting your health at risk. Stress becomes destructive when you put yourself in the position of continually facing challenges without periods of relief or relaxation.
Even if you absolutely love the adrenaline rush of multi-tasking on 12 urgent projects, you need to at least make sure you find a little time each day to relax. Take the time to examine your motivations for reveling in stress, and make sure you balance your long-term health with your lifestyle choices.
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Twitter: lynnjonesie
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Hi Marty, Very interesting topic. I hate feeling stressed. In fact I purpose to schedule my life so that I am not feeling stressed. However, looking over your list, I found myself guilty of 2 or 3 of them! LOL I am all about a life without pressure and noise. I love peace and quiet.
Enjoyed your post!
Many blessings to you,
Lynn
Lynn Jones recently posted..36 Ways to Make a Postive Impression in Less Than 10 Seconds
Stress is a major problem in our lives. If we let it control our lives, we are in major trouble. It can cause so much physical and mental problems and can lead to long term problems and end up reducing your lifespan.
Thanks for the post.
Gary Young China Sourcing recently posted..New Life and China Sourcing
Twitter: steveborgman
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I liked what John Gaydon commented on: one smart move can save us a lot of busy-work. Paradoxically, when we slow down to plan, reflect, get exercise, pray, and meditate, we end up getting far more done that when we are frazzled, and addicted to the adrenaline rush of busy-ness.
Steve-Personal Success Factors recently posted..Now You Can Be As Productive As These Top CEO’s
Hey Marty,
Yet another gem from you.
Who wouldn’t relate to this? You would have to be an absolute guru who spends their days contemplating their navel!
Apart from my 5 year old, life is more relaxing these days. The interesting thing is that doing a few smart moves is more productive than constant application. I can get more income from an article than 20 phone calls.
More time out – that is what I will do. IN the meantime, I can affirm that working harder is not necessarily more productive! I ahve spent months working off purpose for no result, when keeping on would have yielded much more.
Guess life is for learning.
John Gaydon recently posted..A Tree Fell On The House
Hey John – thanks for the chuckle and image that I’ll be carrying around with me for the remainder of the day of a guru contemplating his navel. You think there’s an infographic for that somewhere? Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughtful insights John, always appreciated.
Twitter: brotherbillamis
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Marty,
this is a powerful and amazing post!
You have completely opened my eyes to a subject matter on stress with it’s good and bad results. We take it for granted on how to deal with it. There is not sure logical method that works for everyone.
Each person has a different chemical make-up that various procedures will help with stress. Lots of people deal with it by accepting our lifestyles would require to be adjusted. Remembering stress can be deadly.
Your and inspirations mentor and great leader in our industry. Your way of addressing the issues that would be difficult to simplify, is always refreshing.
Marty, thanks for keeping your readers and I updated on this daily emotion we all should take notice of. Your a great coach and visionary in our industry. I appreciate your sharing and knowledge. Thank you and I look forward in returning soon.
William Earl Amis Jr III recently posted..Momentum or Comfort?
Stress is a big enemy of people, but also it may be a good thing, stress is motivating sometimes. After reading the article and the ‘sympthoms’ – I am addicted to stress, I have all the sympthoms, hehe. It’s easy to get addicted to stress, as you said, once you create a routine by working and living in stress, then you get addicted.
Amit recently posted..Forklift Test
Twitter: learnit2earnit
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Marty this is such a relavant subject that you are discussing here. Stress is a huge factor these days especially with all the social media madness. Business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs are all taking about stress and how to deal with it.
I truly enjoyed your thoughts, tips and advice on how we can realize what level of stress we may be at and how we might change some things to make our days less stressful and more enjoyable. I will be happy to share this with all my fans, followers and clients.
Lynn Brown recently posted..Social Media Marketers Beware Of Time Consuming Traps
Welcome Lynn … I apologize for being so slow about responding to your comment but I’m up to my eyeballs at the moment with prep for various projects underway in connection with the 1st anniversary of my blog next week. I am so glad you enjoyed the topic and article, and I hope you’ll be returning again soon.
Twitter: jbennett2020
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Marquita,
This is a very important post that everyone needs to read. Corporate America would love to make you believe that the only way to live is stress-filled and constantly struggling. Many executives believe that if their management and workers aren’t stressed, they aren’t working towards the goals. Truth is, the exact opposite is true. And this could be applied to the corporation of the single individual. Some stress is good…. To much is destructive, to many things, including your own body.
Thanks,
James
James | Mastermind to Personal Power recently posted..The Noticer by Andy Andrews
Too much stress have a negative effect to the health condition of an individual. Although stress does not directly cause a certain medical condition to develop, the sad thing is it can contribute to the development of the condition. People who are suffering from chronic stress have a higher risk from suffering stress related medical conditions, which may endanger their health and life. This is the cogent reason why it is very important that we should take a break even just for a while so our mind and body will relax and be relieved from stress.
Candice Michelle recently posted..SMS
Stress can be very helpful at times, but experiencing too much stress can also be very harmful. Getting too much stress might result to sick feeling because of you’re having a terrible headache. I should know because I’m always experiencing same thing!
Maria
Maria Pavel recently posted..CNA Certification
Twitter: DarrylBurgess1
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Thanks Marquita, I fall into this catagory when I have down time myself. I always have to be busy. Probably why when I go to bed my head is usually racing and thinking. You rknowledge and insight has opened my eyes. Thank you and look for ward to future posts
Darryl Burgess recently posted..MindSet
Hi Marty,
Nice post.After reading your points it shows that many on us live in stressful life and we dont know about it.Thanks for sharing the point of relaxation,it will help many readers.
Pete Goumas recently posted..Wacky Planet Coupons – Review
Wonderful post!
This are all symptoms of loving our jogs too much, it reminds me the title of a book called wht do women love too much? Why do women love working so much?
I have noticed from myself and coaching clients that often, there are some hidden benefits of being addicted to stress and to our jobs, one of which being that by putting attention outside of us we do not focus on ourselves, our bodies our self care.
No wonder we have not a good work/ life balance, right?
Would you agree on this?
patricia recently posted..6 Keys You Know and Forget to Implement When You Want to Succeed