[Health Column] Wise Stress Management Life

Stress causes problems for both the body and mind. When our body experiences stress, it becomes tense. We feel anxious and restless, and sometimes our blood pressure and pulse increase. However, it is very difficult to live without experiencing stress in daily life. Most of the things we face, such as interpersonal relationships, studies, work, and household chores, cause varying degrees of stress. The origin of the word "stress" means "to tighten tightly." Perhaps that is why we commonly say "relieve stress." It is important to effectively relieve stress so that we are not negatively affected by it. How can we wisely manage stress?

First, if it is difficult to eliminate stress, develop the ability to endure it. The best solution is for the stressful situation to disappear, but this is nearly impossible. Stress caused by a difficult boss, work at the office, studies, or financial problems does not easily go away. Therefore, we need to build the ability to endure stress. Focusing on the stressful issue itself inevitably increases anxiety and worry. Try to divert your attention elsewhere by focusing on daily life or engaging in hobbies.

Second, do not attach your emotions to the stressful issue. One reason we experience a lot of stress is that we perceive everything happening around us as stress. When overwhelmed by heavy workloads, we want to go somewhere without any disturbances and rest deeply. However, when actually resting deeply, people say they feel stressed because they "have nothing to do."

Whether you have a lot of wealth or none, stress remains. The problems we label as stress simply exist, but it is our emotions reacting to those problems that cause stress. A tiger is scary, but the probability of a tiger locked in a zoo cage attacking me is extremely low. Similarly, do not dress objective facts in emotional clothing to make those facts feel more frightening.

Third, develop the ability to endure uncertainty. When faced with something uncertain, we tend to avoid it rather than confront it head-on. It is easy to endure something clearly defined. If success is guaranteed 100%, we can endure all kinds of hardships. Conversely, if failure is certain, we give up easily. The problem is that there is nothing in life that is so clearly determined. To reduce stress, we must quickly recognize and accept that uncertainty was inherent from the start.

Finally, utilize "eustress" and reduce "distress." Hans Selye, an endocrinologist and authority on stress research, divided stress into two types: "eustress," which drives us positively forward, and "distress," which negatively affects us. Eustress acts as a moderate stimulant and helps us develop. On the other hand, distress makes us tired and exhausted. An extreme situation like a cancer diagnosis acts as distress. Criticism from a boss or colleagues is mostly distress. The fortunate thing is that distress can be transformed into eustress. We just need to endure stress and uncertainty well and clearly distinguish between objective facts and the emotions we attach to them.

Stress certainly makes me feel burdened. Although the absolute level of stress varies depending on the issue, most of the stress we experience in daily life depends on how we perceive it. Instead of focusing on stress itself, we need an attitude that wisely manages stress.

Jung Seok-hoon, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Asan Medical Center