Stress can be like a shadow that follows us everywhere, casting a dark cloud over our daily lives. As we navigate our careers as freelancers, parents, or employees, it's not a question of if we'll experience stress, but rather when. From looming deadlines and demanding clients to long hours and overwhelming mental loads, there are countless stressors that can make work feel like an uphill battle.

But stress isn't a one-size-fits-all experience. There are different types of stress that can affect us in different ways, and it's essential to understand the nuances of each. By recognizing the unique characteristics of various stressors, we can gain a better understanding of how to manage them and ultimately minimize their impact on our well-being.

What Are Micro-Stress Doses?

One type of stress that has received increased attention in recent years is micro-stress doses. These are small, repeated stressors that can accumulate over time and have a significant impact on our overall well-being. Micro-stress doses can come from a variety of forms. Here is a list of daily stresses that we can encounter on a regular base: 

• Being stuck in traffic

• Email notifications

• The temperature in your workspace

• A small injury or constriction in your body

• Too much coffee,

• Being late for an appointment or meeting

• Too little sleep

• An unpleasant comment from a friend

• A messy home-office space,

• Anticipating a future important meeting

• Waiting in a long line or queue

• Not being able to find something you need

• Hearing unexpected loud noises or distractions

• Feeling rushed or like there isn't enough time to complete something

• Dealing with minor technical difficulties or malfunctions…

Research has shown that these seemingly small stressors can have a significant impact on our overall well-being, both physically and mentally. The study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine revealed that exposure to chronic, low-level stressors can lead to an increased risk of inflammation-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression. Similarly, the study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that exposure to multiple daily stressors can result in decreased job satisfaction and increased burnout, leading to a lower quality of life and reduced productivity at work.

It's clear that the impact of stress on our lives is not to be underestimated, particularly when it comes to the micro-stress doses that we experience on a daily basis. It's important to recognise and address these stressors in order to prevent them from becoming a long-term problem.

What Can we Do to Manage These Types of Stressors and Prevent Them From Taking a Toll on Our Health?

One key strategy is mindfulness. By cultivating an awareness of our thoughts and emotions, we can begin to notice when we're feeling stressed and take steps to address the source of that stress. This might involve taking breaks throughout the day, practicing deep breathing or meditation, or even simply turning off email notifications for a period of time.

Of course, micro-stress doses are just one type of stress that can impact our daily lives. Other common sources of stress in the workplace include high workloads, difficult colleagues or bosses, and uncertainty about job security or career progression.

In order to manage these types of stressors, it's important to prioritize self-care and develop healthy coping mechanisms. This might include regular exercise, spending time with loved ones outside of work, seeking out support from a therapist or mentor, or even taking time off from work if necessary.

Stress is Not Necessarily the Enemy

It's also important to recognize that stress is not always negative. In fact, some level of stress can help us perform better and be a catalyst for motivation. The key is to find a balance between the types of stress that push us to grow and those that have a negative impact on our well-being.

One crucial aspect to consider regarding stress is the significance we place on events that we perceive as stressful. Our perception, rooted in our subconscious mind, is shaped by our past experiences, thoughts, traumas, values, and limiting beliefs, serving as a filter to our external environment. It's essential to understand that our stress levels are highly dependent on how we perceive a particular situation and how we respond to it, which can help us mitigate the adverse effects of stress.

Taking the first steps towards reducing negative stress is not always easy and can require a lot of introspection, commitment, and a long-term approach. It's important to remember that this journey won't happen overnight, but it's worth investing in for the long-term benefits to our health and well-being. By becoming more self-aware of our stressors and daily habits, we can start taking positive steps towards managing and reducing the negative impacts of stress.

By understanding the different types of stress that can impact our daily lives, we can begin to take steps to manage and prevent them from having a negative impact on our physical and mental health. Whether it's through mindfulness, self-care, or seeking support from others, there are many strategies that can help us navigate the stresses with greater ease and resilience.

If you're feeling overwhelmed and stressed, know that you don't have to face it alone. I'm here to support you and provide you with the tools and strategies you need to manage your stress and achieve a healthier, more balanced life. Please feel free to reach out to me if you'd like to discuss how I can help you on your journey via a free call consultation.