STRESS AND THE 3 STEP DEFINITION EXPERIMENT

Stress and defining stress is not easy or simple. Many people try to use a standard definition of stress to help them with stress management and stress relief. But a standard stress definition is not the answer to really understanding your own stress.

TRY THIS POWEFUL DEFINITIONS EXPERIMENT

Let us consider just how difficult it can be to define the term stress. Try this definitions experiment and test for yourself. So use the steps below and make sure to listen closely to what your respondents have to say about defining stress.

YOUR DEFINITIONS TEST STEP ONE

Firstly, choose five people who you know. Then consider asking them to provide you with a general definition of the term - stress. As they explain their thoughts, write down what they say. You realize that every person uses similar words but every definition varies with each person.

YOUR DEFINITIONS TEST STEP TWO

Secondly, ask each person to define what the word stress means to them personally. The words and meanings will change even further as each person relates the term back to their own circumstances and life experiences. Again, write down what each person has to say and you will notice that the definitions change again. Their words and their definitions become more emotionally charged as they become more personal.

YOUR DEFINITIONS TEST STEP THREE

Thirdly, ask each person to do this final step. Ask them to complete these two sentences. Stress makes me feel (fill in the blank). I feel stressed when (fill in the blank). Again write down what each person has to say. You will hear more words such as: pressured, worried, anxious, burdened, tense, strained, hassled, overextended and burnt out. You are now hearing from people more about their own personal, emotional and unique definitions of stress.

YOU NEED TO REMEMBER THIS ABOUT ANY DEFINITIONS

So now you have a long list of words and multiple definitions of stress. And that is from just five people. What can you discover when considering all these different definitions? Understand that one definition of stress really does not fit for everyone. Each person always experiences stress in their own individual and personal way. Just as any stress management and stress relief techniques you use must fit your own personal needs.

YOUR OWN PERSONAL DEFINITION

So always consider any standard definition of stress as a guide only. Of most importance, is to consider the three definition steps previously discussed and utilize them to develop your own individual stress definition. It is this personal definition that will be of more value to you, than any standard definition.

YOU WILL UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT YOUR OWN STRESS

When you develop your own personal definition you will now understand so much more about yourself. You will also understand more about how to start to deal with the stress you are experiencing in your life. So, what is your own definition of stress?

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