Everyday Canvas

Stress

Prompt: Stress
Is stress unavoidable in your life and how do you deal with it? Does it affect Your ability to make good decisions?

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I believe stress is unavoidable in everyone's life and it doesn't exist only in mine. Does knowing this little fact make stress acceptable? No way, but we all have our ways of dealing with it.

Since stress, unfortunately, has that unavoidable nature, even balancing everyday life can be stressful at times. Then show up the unexpected events, such as illness, accidents, or sudden changes in circumstances. Such stuff can introduce some significant stress into any life. When that happens, we need to deal with them the best we can and try to stay positive and healthy, nevertheless.

One of my ways to avoid unnecessary stress is keeping to a daily schedule. It need not be a set schedule but a general, adaptable, changeable one. This keeps me going rather than freezing with worry. Then, if I can stick to my schedule in any way or form, I prioritize the tasks in it. For example, my cat has to be taken care of. I have to eat...etc. In other words, time management puts things in order and lessens stress.

Also, when stressed, most people depend on social support, which is a very good way, if one can find it. I, however, find that I am the one handing out that social support rather than getting it. Maybe I am getting it without being aware of it, which is another thing.

Of course, taking care of my well-being, health issues, balanced diet and sleep must help, too. I believe a positive outlook for everything, if I can muster it, does help. It's like using a hope-for-the-best-and-deal-with-the-worst management in my life.

Also, when push comes to shove, I remind myself of “Don't sweat the small stuff; it's all small stuff” idea. Although, I don't really feel or think everything is small stuff. Then, maybe it is, if I consider that we rarely if ever get the same experience twice and we're all born to die and chances are we won't get to be with the same people we started life with or have met at one time or another in our lives.

As to the question, "Does it affect Your ability to make good decisions?" I would say it must have, although when stressed and a good decision is needed, I take time out--if I can--to pull myself together. If I can't, then I make the best decision under the circumstances with the hope-for-the-best-and-deal-with-the-worst idea kicking in.

I would probably like to finish this entry by saying that "I hope nobody ever gets too stressed," but this isn't possible. The most I can hope for, then, is that we all deal with it the best we can.