7 x facts and fables about stress
Stress, I experience it all day long. I am really a worrywart. Often I manage to put the stress I feel about something into perspective, but by that time I have found something else to stress about. That is quite exhausting. But I must also admit that I sometimes quite enjoy that stress. Occasionally, I need it to get things done, so that I can relax afterwards.
Here I share seven facts and myths about stress.
1. The less stress, the better: myth
This is a myth and moreover: you can even experience too little stress. As soon as we are under pressure, stress is the reaction of our body. You can use this stress as a motor to take action and perform. Look, that makes me happy. I often tell myself that my stress will probably shorten my life, but I will let that go now. As soon as the stress persists continuously and you can no longer relax, then it is of course a different story. Stress should not lead to sleepless nights, but a little stress, there is nothing wrong with that.
2. Men and women handle stress differently: fact
The reaction of a man or a woman to stress differs from each other and according to therapist Alice Zeilings-Gerritsen, it all has to do with testosterone. Women take longer to produce testosterone under stress than men. As a result, men are more likely to act physically in the event of stress. They express this through ‘fight‘ or ‘flight behavior’. Well, that explains quite a lot. According to Alice, women, on the other hand, are more likely to seek safety or help: ‘Because women are less inclined to act physically in the face of danger or stress, they feel more and longer fear.’
3. Vacation helps against stress: myth
From my own experience, I can tell you that a vacation can actually be very stressful. Of course, you relax when you lie comfortably on a beach chair, but don't forget all the arrangements around the vacation. Only when you are away for a longer period can you truly relax. Those short trips do not provide a sustainable relaxing effect.
4. Stress complaints are a trend: fact
Burnouts occur more frequently among 25 to 35-year-olds than among people in other age groups. For example, CBS reported in 2021 that 21 percent of 25 to 35-year-olds suffer from burnout complaints. This surprises me at all: my generation has high expectations and many ambitions, but in the meantime, we are constantly distracted by our phones and lose a lot of precious time. Just the idea that we can constantly be in digital contact with everyone gives me blind panic. And I haven't even talked about social media, where you can see all day how wonderful other people's lives are, who are meanwhile just as stressed. Unfortunately, this is the downside of the digital age. Should I buy a Nokia again?
5. Stress is contagious: fact
A large-scale German study shows that stress is contagious. And no, not through coughing or touching, but by observing someone in a stressful situation, our body also produces the stress hormone cortisol. My golden tip: stay away from stressed people.
6. You can avoid stress through yoga: myth
This has never been proven, so people who hate yoga can let go of this thought. Maybe something else works for you against stress, but everyone has to figure out for themselves what provides the most relaxation. It may well be that yoga can relieve stress. What offers a solution for one can cause great irritation for another.
7. Music helps against stress: fact
The positive effect of music on stress is indeed scientifically substantiated. Music therapy is increasingly used to reduce stress, anxiety, and restlessness in patients. Specially trained and qualified music therapists use various elements of music such as melody, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, and pitch to connect with people's memories and emotions. Wow, I find this really special.
