I get tired of saying it, but I've been super stressed lately. So much so, that my own husband, in fact, has told me he's worried about me. I don't get enough sleep, I don't eat well and I most definitely don't get any kind of exercise. I'm always tired and I don't seem to have a lot of patience with my kids, my husband and even my own self! Even so, no matter what I do or don't do, I feel like my stress level is always pretty high.
That's why an article in Time magazine about how some people are actually addicted to stress got me thinking: could I be one of those people?
Granted, this is definitely one of the most stressful periods I've ever experienced for a very specific reason. You see, besides my full-time job, I'm also in the process of promoting my first book, Bilingual is Better, and there's soooo much to do!
Still, what I found extremely interesting about the article is that apart from stress boosting our energy levels and our focus, it can also create a "natural high." As Concordia University neuroscientist and addiction specialist Jim Pfaus said in the article, "stressors can also wake up the neural circuitry underlying wanting and craving–just like drugs do."
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Can you imagine? That's pretty crazy, but I could totally see how i's true. In all honesty, I actually hate being stressed out and feeling like there's simply not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything on my to-do list, but maybe it's also the only way I know how to do things. The only way for me to actually be productive.
Either way, I know I must do something to change my ways as it's a well-known fact that the downsides if stress outweigh the benefits.
What do you think? Could it be possible that some of us are addicted to stress? Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a comment below.
Image via BLW photography/flickr
