Stress is Good
Looks oxymoron? Washing powder Surf advt. 'Daag achhe hain' (Dirty spots are good) was run by Unilever way back in 2005 and you could find that advt on TV, in all the daily newspapers, leading magazines, and hoardings all over the cities, and advertising experts rank that advt among one of the all time best advt.
Stress, by nomenclature, is bad, unpleasant and unwelcome, and there is no body who can ever like to be in a stressful situation. But then there are some stresses which are societal and are thrusted upon us by circumstances in the name of survival of the fittest, and no one can escape that.
Folklore has it that in Ramayana, when Lakshmana, was restored to life by Sanjeevani booti (sacred herbal) brought by Hanumana, and was to fight Meghnath next day, he was strolling outside their camp in the night, when Lord Rama spotted him. Rama asked Lakshmana, " Are you worried for tomorrow's battle with Meghnath?" Like any other human being, Lakshmana, hiding his anxiety, said " NO, I shall definitely have my revenge and I shall kill him in tomorrow's battle". Lord Rama then said, " Lakshmana, there is nothing wrong in being anxious and stressed about what is at hands tomorrow. Lord Rama further explained that stress help us build our internal defenses, guide us to explore various strategies, formulate and fine tune our moves, both in best case and worst case scenarios, and finally call upon all our faculties to strengthen our nerves for the day of reckoning."
So, if you are stressed up with challenges you are facing today, be 'Thankful' to God, for human beings evolved every time they faced challenges, be it the ancient times when we used to live in caves, were fearful of the wild animals, darkness and inclement weather we had to face, or improving on their living conditions. In fact, all industrial and technological improvements over the years has only been a process of coming over phases of stress and uncertainties, improving the processes, and finding answers to unanswered questions.
So, if you are a student, appearing for some exams/interviews for a job, or a sportsperson , trying to find his/her place in the state/national team, and/or participating in any international tournament, studies have shown that the even multiple-time champions too have butterflies in their stomach when they take the field, no matter whatever be the level of their expertise or talent. Even a Sachin, Sehwag or MSD.......they all used to be jittery when they faced first few balls on the pitch.
So, the first level of handling stress is to tell yourself that everybody else in your position would have been as stressed as you are in the given circumstances. This single statement shall cool down the tempers and calm down the disturbing internal dialogues.
Secondly, lean on to your faith and and tell yourself that this as well could be an opportunity to reboot yourself. Look around and try to explore what that situation is trying to teach/guide you to. While you use all your skills and wisdom to manage the stressful situation, nothing wrong in looking around for alternatives, sustainable solutions or remedies to handle that situation, and who knows you might as well find cosmic energies helping you sail out of that.
Stress therefore, if you don't crumble under its weight, or when you do not allow it to pull the carpet under your feet, it rather helps you become a mentally tough person. When we say, 'Experience is the best teacher', what it means is that experience of passing through a stressful situation and coming out successfully, teaches you certain lessons, improves your coping abilities to an adverse situation, and strengthens your mental faculties to handle any kind of adversity.
It is equivalent to a graduate/post-graduate course in passing out of difficult circumstances. It's time to channelize and harness stress to productive use, and to use that opportunity to improve on your own level of endurance. Stress has the potential to make you an enriched person. History worldwide has many such phenomenal examples of successes achieved by many enlightened people despite all the adverse circumstances.
So when you feel stressed next time, stop, awake and look around. It could as well be a disguised opportunity. Listen, for the nature may be whispering; could be conspiring too, to show you the way out. Stay with your faith that nothing can go wrong, and stimulate all the signals adversity is sending to you through self-reflection.
Stress achha hain. Endure it, and who knows that may be the lucky break you were hoping for.