Most addictions are detrimental and anything in excess will without any doubt ending hurting our bodies or our minds. But few things are more damaging that the addiction to stress.
Nowadays there seems to be an anti-stress crusade that has been reinforced by recent findings in connection with the negative effect that stress has in our bodies. However, many people seem to be more stressed that ever before. It is crazy to think that someone could be addicted to be stressed, when everything that most of us want to do is avoid stress at any cost. But it can happen to anyone and not even be aware of it.
Sometimes we can get so used to being stressed and worried that when the reason for these feelings disappear, we look for any other reason to justify being stressed, and this way a negative loop takes place. Of course, all of us at some point will find ourselves in stressful situations and our feelings will be perfectly justified, but the real problem arises when we continue to feel this way permanently.
What seems to work for me in this situation is that every time I feel stressed or very worried about a particular subject, I ask myself how bad the worst case scenario could be. Will my life or the life of a loved one would be in danger if everything goes wrong? In case everything falls apart, are the consequences subject to repair or there is no chance to repair the damage that would be done? The truth is that in life, few things are absolute.
By making amends with the worst case scenario, we free ourselves from the pressure that stress implies and we become actually able to think and perform considerably better that when our minds were hunted by stress and worries.
A good movie that illustrates this point is The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, based on the book of the same name written by Dan Millman. Only when the character leaves behind all his fears and worries, he is able to unlock his full potential and be the best version of himself.
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