We all know how challenging stress can be. We have all experienced it and there is a wealth of scientific data showing how damaging it is to us. Stress occurs when our midbrain determines that there is something threatening us which turns on our natural "alarm system" in an effort to protect us from harm. The problem is that most of the stressors that we face today are not easily handled with a "revved up" mind and body that leaves us agitated and exhausted without any resolution to the problem.
One of the most interesting things about stress is that it is truly in the "mind" of the beholder. What one person may consider stressful another may not. Our perception of what is stressful for us is based largely in our own personal experiences and our beliefs about the world. That is why some people can be highly stressed by a situation or activity while another can find the same situation stimulating or even enjoyable. In other words, nothing is "stressful" except as we believe it to be, or make it to be in our own mind.
One real-life example of this comes from a psychologist's note to an avid hiker who suffers from stress related problems. The hiker took on the challenging task of hiking from the rim of the Grand Canyon down to the bottom and then the next day made the arduous hike back up. The hike is over twenty miles and involves very rough terrain in hot, desert like conditions. Hiking down involves the constant stress of braking or resisting the steep incline while coming back is like walking up a steep incline much of the way.
As an example of how the arduous hike represents the power of our beliefs in determining whether something is considered stressful or not the psychologist wrote:
lRelated
Health SeniorsPsychology: There are fun ways to learn this summerSee all related
"I want to congratulate you on your accomplishment of hiking the Grand Canyon from the top to the bottom! That is a difficult hike that only those who have tried it can fully understand how hard it is. There is the steep descent followed by the hard incline on the return in hot, humid and dusty conditions. These types of challenges, in such a beautiful but other-worldly environment changes us and helps us to grow. By making that hike you will never be the same- you will always be stronger and have some part of the experience with you.
Scott E. Smith Even with the gentle August sunsets we have been having and the soft feeling of summer passing by, there are people suffering from significant stress. Even with the gentle August sunsets we have been having and the soft feeling of summer passing by, there are people suffering from significant stress. ( Scott E. Smith ) -->
It is interesting how negative stress resulting from uncontrolled situations can hurt or even damage us, yet planned or voluntary experiences that may be just as difficult can be perceived as exciting and enlivening. When you were undertaking the highly complex and difficult hike in the canyon, rather than being hurt or damaged by it, you were loving every minute.
I understand that in your regular life you experience a lot of stress. Stress is a powerful force that effects our body and mind-our physiology and our emotions. When we are stressed, our muscles, digestive system, energy level and mood are all taxed. Life naturally involves stress, but living under chronic or continual stress can be damaging and rob us of our enjoyment of living.
Your recent hike in the Grand Canyon is a good way to understand stress. Your hike involved extremely demanding conditions with temperature changes, severe storms, covering over 20 miles with half of it downhill and half of it uphill. It involved deprivations including changes in your sleep, eating and hydration. Parts of it were dangerous and life threatening- like walking on a slippery trail along the precipice of hundred foot drops that would mean critical injury or possibly death if you fell. At times, you were tired, hungry, thirsty, sore and uncertain.
Yet, the experience was AWESOME! You loved it and now treasure it and keep remembering it with pleasure and satisfaction. The close lightning strikes, the roar of the thunder, the beautiful double rainbow, the views at each level from the top to the bottom, the bridges spanning the Colorado River, swimming in the Colorado River, paying respect at the grave of the man that died making the trail were all amazing.
Scott Smith There is little doubt now that we are deep in the throes of summer. Once we reach the 90/90 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity there is no turning back. There is little doubt now that we are deep in the throes of summer. Once we reach the 90/90 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity there is no turning back. ( Scott Smith ) -->
But, imagine if you had to do all of that against your will, or because of circumstances that you did not plan or intend. Imagine being stranded in that situation or asked to do those same things without your consent or will. Walking on dangerous trails, suffering cold, wet, heat, sleep deprivation, uphill climbing, bugs and everything else would be experienced negatively- as something unwanted and undesired. The body and spirit would rebel, would complain, we would be disconcerted and unhappy. We would be stressed in a negative and even destructive way. Our body would pump out cortisol and adrenaline that would keep our mind overactive and lead to exhaustion. We might be in a foul or unhappy mood, cursing our fate and resenting or regretting our situation.
In other words, two situations could be identical in their conditions and demands with the only difference being the way in which we perceive, interpret or view things- resulting in two completely different experiences, outcomes and emotions. One mindset (positive-feeling in control) creating optimal performance, joy, wonder, satisfaction and contentment with the other (negative-feeling out of control) creating emotional and physical upset, resentment, unhappiness and exhaustion.
The only difference between the two outcomes lies is in the perception of events- whether the situation was desired, created by our own initiative and whether or not we believe we are in control. That is an amazing and powerful thing to know- that our perspective on things and the way we interpret situations all through our life greatly determines whether or not we experience stress or happiness! Imagine how rewarding and stress free our lives could be if we learn how to look at difficult times differently.
Applying this knowledge to remain positive and engaged in life, instead of negative and anxious when facing challenging times is one of the keys to a successful and happy life-and may be one of the greatest gifts your hike could ever give you!"
Scott E. Smith, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with Spectrum Behavioral Health located in Arnold, Annapolis and Crofton MD. He can be contacted at 410-757-2077 or by mail at 1509 Suite F, Ritchie Hwy, Arnold, MD 21012
Copyright © 2015, Capital Gazette, a Baltimore Sun Media Group publication | Privacy Policy