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Mental Wellness Women 40 yrs Plus - What is Stress
To the majority of people 'stress' brings to mind something unpleasant. However, many psychologists report the condition as something that can actually have positive effects. Are you confused? Can stress actually be positive? In fact, the answer is yes. The reasons lie in how a person evaluates his or her own individual mental and physical state – their total wellness. Let’s give an example. Imagine two people, one a trapeze artist about to soar 20 meters in the air with no net for safety, the other a woman 40 yrs plus about to take the test for her driver’s license for the first time. The trapeze artist has been training most of his life for the daring feat, the 40 year old woman has hardly spent any time at all learning to drive. From a purely physiological perspective both are going to be experiencing similar effects - rapid heartbeat and quickened breathing, higher metabolism, active sweat glands and so forth. Psychologically, there are also similarities with our two individuals - higher concentration on the present and thoughts about the next few minutes, vivid images and heightened sensitivity to feelings. But there are key differences, at least psychologically. The trapeze artist is exhilarated, ready for the challenge, and eager to show his prowess and complete his act without falling. The woman 40 yrs plus feels doubt and fear. It is reasonable to say then that both parties are under stress. You could also say they are feeling stressful. But the differences in the two situations are important. The trapeze artist evaluates his situation as presenting a challenge he wants to take on and believes himself fully prepared for his act. The woman in her forties is nervous and lacking in confidence and projects the consequences of her likely failure, and maybe the necessity to have more lessons and try again at a later date.  In both of these situations, our individuals are unsure about the outcome, but each appraises the odds of success differently. Each might also judge the outcome of failure differently. The trapeze artist may slightly miss a cue, lose balance and perform only single twirls instead of doubles. This may be disappointing personally but as the crowds clap and cheer, his recognition is still very high and more circus owners will want him to perform. On the other hand, the woman 40 yrs plus may see her chances for gaining independence diminishing. She may have to continually rely on her family members to drive her around. Obviously, our two individuals, the trapeze artist and the woman 40 yrs plus, are very different, and the example is a relatively simple one. However, regardless if stress or elation is felt, it is how you evaluate external circumstances and your own inner state of mind that determines your exact emotional state. Therefore, the word ‘stress’ has a dual meaning, which can sometimes be confusing. Heightened awareness and the physiological symptoms (see symtoms of stress) described above is one inference of stress, and the other is essentially the combination of concern and those symptoms. The latter can have negative health consequences, since those symptoms can be physically harmful. But since humans are both mind and body and the two aspects affect one another, the psychological part is just as important.
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