Understanding Your Stress Levels

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Title: Understanding Your Stress Levels

Word Count: 966

Author: Trevor Dumbleton

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Understanding Your Stress Levels

Copyright 2005 Trevor Dumbleton

In order to understand stress better, it is a good idea to

understand that there are different stress levels. These

levels vary in the form of stress they take and they can

often provide an indication of how to treat the stress.

Furthermore, there are tests available that can help people

understand their own, particular brand of stress and, with

this knowledge, they can also understand themselves better.

Then, with this information, a complete stress management

method can be constructed. So, when you examine your own

stress, keep these stress levels in mind so that you can

come to grips with yourself and learn the proper methods

for keeping your mind balanced.

These stress levels were found and characterized by Dr.

Hans Selye and Dr. Earle of the Canadian Institute

of Stress. Thus, the names and types are theirs.

Type 1 - The Speed Freak

This stress level is characterized by an incessant need to

be giving 110% at all times. They are often

perfectionists, they tend to speak quickly, and they are

very impatient. Generally, Speed Freaks have learned that

it is necessary to work hard in order to succeed, so they

figure that, if they are working hard all the time, they

are certain to succeed. This, of course, is not

necessarily the case, since running full-bore all the time

will only lead to stress over minor issues.

Speed Freaks need to learn how to relax and they need to

clarify their goals so that they will work hard on things

that really matter, while relaxing while they are working

on more mundane tasks. By doing this, they can get up to

speed when they need to put in the effort and conserve

energy the rest of the time.

Type 2 - The Worry Wart

The Worry Wart stress level is characterized by an

inability to stop thoughts, but an equal inability to put

thoughts into action. They tend to overanalyze things to

the point that they paralyze themselves. Thus, they simply

end up spinning their wheels as they get nowhere. True to

the name, Worry Warts tend to spend a lot of their time

worrying and this only leaves them even more incapable of

action.

Worry Warts need to think very specifically about the

problems they are facing, write down every possible thing

that can go wrong, then think about just how likely these

events are. Then, once everything is treated with a

philosophical distance, the worry will decrease and the

Worry Wart can move on toward their goals.

Type 3 - The Drifter

Drifters are people who keep so many options open that they

are incapable of actually developing any skills in depth.

Instead of focusing their energies on specific life goals,

they end up putting effort into a variety of tasks so that

none of them every really get done. Thus, their hours are

spent productively, but their hours rarely produce anything

concrete. In fact, they create a paradox of complete

freedom in which they are trapped by their own inability to

use that freedom effectively.

Drifters need to clarity their life goals, focus on things

that make them feel worthwhile, and try to build up a life

that is open to more than just work. Then, once they have

a place to direct their efforts, they can shed all the

excess nonsense that they surround themselves with.

Type 4 - The Loner

This stress level is recognizable by the fact that Loners

are unable to create meaningful relationships with others.

This is due to the fact that they generally work alone, so

that do not receive much feedback from others. Thus,

rather than building relationships that can help support

them, they tend to crawl into a shell and keep other people

outside of it. Thus, as they avoid shared experiences with

others, they become incapable of finding out what they

enjoy and who they enjoy doing it with.

Loners should attempt to clarify their own values, then

work to build relationships with people who share those

values, which in turn gives Loners a way to move toward

their goals. This will give them both a purpose and a

support structure that can help them succeed in that

purpose.

Type 5 - Basket Cases

This stress level is very dangerous, as Basket Cases are

creating their own energy crises. Instead of caring for

themselves, they tend to be achy, depressed, and they often

decide that activities are simply too much effort. They

are often in poor health and their own malaise and

depression makes it hard to do anything about it.

Basket Cases need to start eating right in order to start

the healing process. Then, after a few weeks, they should

start exercising. Then, once they have a little more

energy, they need to learn how to conserve energy by taking

breaks during work and not overextending themselves.

Type 6 - Cliff s

Cliff s are people who are at risk for destroying

their health. They tend to look worn, they often smoke,

eat badly, drink too much, and rarely exercise. However,

they usually figure that nothing bad will ever really come

out of their bad habits, so they cause themselves even more

damage. Thus, they tend to have problems maintaining their

energy.

The treatment for Cliff s is the same as that for

Basket Cases. Eat right, then start an exercise program,

then learn to conserve energy so that they are not

constantly worn out.

By understanding stress levels, people can not only learn

more about themselves, they can also learn how to succeed.

Then, once a person's particular type of stress is treated

correctly, the very portions of the personality that were

once a burden can become a boon. Thus, learning about

stress levels can actually help people achieve their goals.

About the Author:

LowerYourStress.com: for everything to do with stress. Get

a free ebook to help with your stress levels:

http://www.loweryourstress.com/stress-book.html