Stress Addiction

The New-Age Addiction :Stress

We women sometimes lament the high levels of stress we have—from work, kids, spouse, family, and so on. But there are actually some of us who thrive under stress and actually need to perform optimally in different areas of life.

It is Success Driven?
One reason so many women are addicted to stress is it may equate a sense of success. The notion that everyone who is successful is stressed becomes a vicious cycle that can be hard to get off.

Dangers
Experts agree that a little bit of stress is good for us and can charge our imagination and creativity, but as a result of repeated and prolonged high cortisol levels, there may be a rise in blood pressure and blood sugar levels as insulin is blocked from doing its job leading to unhealthy fat building up in the abdomen. Gastric acid production increases in the stomach and even bone formation is hindered.

Stress Addiction
Red Flags: According to Debbie Mandel, author of “Addicted to Stress: A Woman’s 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life”, there are many red flags that can indicate addiction to stress.

1. Do you tune out during conversations thinking about other things?
2. Do you feel rushed wherever you are because you feel that you ought to be completing the next task somewhere else?
3. Do you feel uncomfortable, worried, and nervous in your mind or body when you don’t have something you must absolutely do right now?”

If you answered yes to any of these, you may be heading towards a stress addiction.