Reflecting on Silly Stress
In our previous exercise, we explored the difference between good “eustress” and bad “distress” by having you identify the various sources of stress in your role as a middle leader.
Now, let’s take a deeper dive into the third category of stress – silly stress.
Recall the examples we discussed previously – things like getting bothered by the TV volume being on an odd number, agonising over the “right” way to orient the toilet paper roll, or stressing about how someone chooses to eat a particular food item. These types of minor, seemingly insignificant stressors can actually have a significant impact on our overall well-being.
Take some time now to reflect on the “silly stresses” you experience in your job. What are the small, mundane tasks or situations that tend to trigger stress or irritation for you? Make a list of these silly stressors, just as you did in the previous exercise.
Some prompts to get you started:
- Are there certain processes, procedures, or organisational quirks that consistently frustrate you?
- Do you find yourself getting worked up over minor issues with technology, equipment, or office supplies?
- Are there particular interactions with colleagues that tend to bring out your “silly stress” response?
Once you’ve compiled your list, consider the following questions:
- What patterns or themes do you notice in your silly stresses? Are there certain types of situations or triggers that tend to elicit this response more than others?
- How do these silly stresses impact your overall stress levels, focus, and productivity? Do you find that they contribute to a heightened baseline of cortisol and make you more susceptible to bad stress when major challenges arise?
- What strategies have you used (or could you use) to manage these silly stresses in a healthier way? How might cognitive reframing, mindfulness, or other stress management techniques help you navigate these minor irritants?
- How might these silly stresses be influencing your relationships and interactions with your team? Are there ways you could model more constructive responses to minor frustrations? Are there ways to remove some of the processes or procedures that cause silly stress?
By taking the time to deeply reflect on the silly stresses in your job, you’ll gain valuable self-awareness and insights that can help you build resilience, both for yourself and for your team.
Remember, while these stressors may seem trivial, their cumulative impact should not be underestimated.
FURTHER STRESS GUIDANCE
TO BE ADDED!
