Optimizing Stress

Doing either too little or too much can lead to the same symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, appetite loss, memory impairment, and insomnia.
Harvard Medical School, Retirement blues: Taking it too easy can be hard on you

Well, yeah. That’s well known in the stress management field. I wrote Optimizing Stress over ten years ago, and the knowledge was well known even then. The Harvard article goes on to say,

The trick is to find a balance of activities that draw you in and stretch you out. “We grow and keep our brains alive by being engaged with things that challenge us.”

I’m guessing none of us have problems doing that. Do you agree?

 

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13 Responses to Optimizing Stress

  1. Mike says:

    Absolutely. I’m constantly amazed who are retiring and say, “Now I’ve got to find something to do.”

    It’s good that they recognize that. If they don’t stay active physically and mentally, they’ll start to decline before their time.

    Next week is my last week of post-retirement contracting. I don’t plan to go back. I’m not at all concerned about finding “something to do.”

  2. tammy j says:

    I’m not sure why but I’m never bored. I think boredom is a little like depression. maybe it’s the beginning of depression for people? I don’t know.
    or perhaps those people who find retirement unfulfilling haven’t found the balance between being busy and being content with other interests.
    so many are living such frantic lives. I see why the article you write about in your post is still needed.
    however… I could use a good dose of appetite loss! 😀

    • Audra E says:

      Totally agree. Eric, I, every “retired” person I know has the same complaint: not enough time for all they want to do.
      Also, I get a couple of health newsletters in which the same old ideas are repeated and repeated. Makes me wonder why I’m paying for them. Except: now and then I’m reminded of something important. OK, OK.

    • Jean says:

      I was depressed when I was a kid, mainly bored out of my mind because of lack of stimulation. I realized I would have to do something about that when I had the chance — a great life lesson that served me well.

    • Jean says:

      We get health newsletters too. We’re gradually reducing the number and keeping the most informative. They do remind me to eat well and, as you say, Audra, occasionally there is something new.

  3. Cathy in NZ says:

    Oh, I get depressed, bored, at a loose end – from time 2 time – but it is usually shortlived.

    this w/end suddenly I found myself doing something I have never done before,and it was all thanks to my niece. I watched 2 football matches via “live stream” but neither of us (from our own places) found the sound. One was last evening, the other the final match this morning….

    it was so different, because I was up above so to speak, wherever the guy was with the gadget – I had a birds eye view,but sometimes it was hard to tell stuff, as I don’t think his telescopic lense worked that well…

    but maybe without the sound was better…the last match we watched, her in Devonport and her brother in the UK and me in New Lynn was in some ways better a different guy with more on the screen…

    anyway my great nephew was part of 15th grade foot ball rep team for Northern and they have taken out the entire championship.

    Right near the end, there was a collision of players, it was hard to see who, but it was definitely down Milo’s defenders end. Next thing I realise that walking off the field is Milo and then later I see him with ?ice pad on his face…niece hasn’t come back on injury but said “he’s robust’ …

    the reason none of could be at the matches was the the whole shebang was in Petone which is closer to Wgtn than here/Auckland. Of course UK person a long way away…

    such an interesting addition to my life…

    • Jean says:

      Yes, it’s invigorating to do something different once in a while. It keeps us from becoming stale.

    • Cathy in NZ says:

      his team, 15th grade rep from Northern (which is this region) are the grand champions for this year. The last game was a draw, but it would be on overall tournament points…

      15 probably represent their age…

  4. Rummuser says:

    I never had the problems nor do I have them now.

  5. Rummuser says:

    I can’t remember any instances.

    • Cathy in NZ says:

      maybe what one experiences has a differing slant to how another sees it…it might be a gender diff; a cultural diff; or anything else diff…. or maybe seen as quite normal, and one does this/that due to habits.

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