Personality And Stress Levels |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Contrary to what is often believed, stress does not actually derive directly from external causes, but is to a large extent self-generated. Situations are not in themselves stressful, it is our reactions which make them so.
As already mentioned, stress can mean quite different things to different people, depending on personality type - that almost indefinably subtle product of genetic conditioning, physical - constitution, childhood upbringing and a host of other factors. Thus an ambitious, driving personality will most likely react quite differently from a placid, easy-going type, or a very sensitive or even anxious type, to an identical situation such as meeting a deadline, giving a public address, meeting new people at a party, handling a disagreement, attending an interview, taking an examination, and so on. Any of these very common situations may seem a stimulating challenge to one personality type, but something to be dreaded and avoided at all costs by another.
The capacity to cope with these and other potentially stressful situations is often described in terms of stress levels. Everyone has a personal stress level, best measured by the individual personality's ability to cope with change in life and personal circumstances, by self-expectation and degree of self-confidence. Whatever your personality, your resources in terms of attitudes, skills and the support you receive from others, must be adequate to cope with challenge, if you are to live life to the full. Certainly, knowing what your personal stress levels are, is another crucial step towards coping with stress.
|
||