Are You Too Strong, Intelligent or Capable to be Stressed?

Are you aware of your stress?

If you think you have no stress, you are most likely not aware of how stress is affecting you; you’re in denial. In fact, the stronger you think you are, the harder you may find that stress hits you with a powerful jolt. I know this from experience.

If you are mentally, physically and emotionally strong, capable and adaptable, you may not even realize that you are stressed. Do you have a lot of knowledge about stress or a high tolerance for stressful conditions? If so, you may simply not be aware of how stress is affecting you below the surface. This is what happened to me.

I taught stress management for 25 years and thought I had my stress well under control. When, the moment came that I couldn't go on, I was shocked. I thought,"How could this happen to me? I know better!"

It happened in an instant. The day before I thought I was fine. That fateful morning, I sat on the sofa with a cover over my head, not wanting to see or talk to anyone. I just wanted to disappear for about three months and start over again. My mind and body went on strike, shouting "No More!"

Have you ever felt this way? Maybe you are just a bit too strong, adaptable and capable for your own good. These are not bad skills, but used to excess or to cover up and deny the reality of a stressful lifestyle, they can become counter productive.

Here are some “red flag” questions to help you become more aware of your stress.

**Check in with your body ~ Is there any dis-ease? 90% of all physician visits are stress related according to the CDC. Are you prone to colds, sinus infections or other minor ailments?

**Check in with your mind ~ Do you rise above stressful situations or sweep things under the carpet to keep an even keel? Pull yourself up by the bootstraps and just keep trucking along?

**Check in with your emotions ~ Do you feel numb to the ups and downs of life experiences? When someone asks you how you feel about something, do you tell them what you think instead?

**Check in with your spirit ~ Are you just going through the same routine motions every day, like "Groundhog Day?" Stress robs you of energy and passion to live each unique moment fully.

**Check in with your relationships ~ Are you tolerating and accommodating people who push your buttons to be a "good" person? Do you feel like you help everyone else and no one is there for you when you need help?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it's time to become more aware of your stress and take action.

That day on the sofa, was a rude awakening for me. I had a lot of knowledge, but in the midst of this stress crisis, my mind was no where to be found. I wish that I had known that being too strong and capable was a “red flag” for eventual collapse.

Through that experience I learned how to employ simple actions, I call them Stress-Busters, which head off stress at the onset. In order to release stress fast, you must know you have stress.

Be aware!