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How to Use Stress to Achieve Peak Performance

by healthpsych

Did you know that stress is important to peak performance? It's
true. Not enough stress and you're bored and unmotivated. Too
much stress and you can't function. The trick lies in finding
just the right balance to stay active and productive without
feeling overloaded.

What exactly is stress?
Stress is the body's response to a stressor. Stressors can be
the weather, traffic, deadlines, finances, births, deaths,
illness, boredom, sports, first dates, breaking up, accidents,
lack of sleep, grades, finals, family, holidays - the list is
endless. Stress is your reaction to this.

A good amount of stress results in motivation to do your best,
motivation to try hard, excitement about a challenge, calling
upon resources (such as courage, organization, self-reliance) you
didn't know you had, etc. Too much stress results in
irritability, anger, depression, rumination, destructive
fantasies, poor concentration and memory, insomnia, and other
negative effects.

Why should you know about stress? 
1) You can't avoid it. Stress comes from everywhere, everyday. 
2) Peak performance depends on your learning to control it. You
may not be able to control everything that happens to you
(stressors) but you can control its affect on you (stress).

How does stress affect peak performance?
When your brain perceives a problem, real or imagined, it
prepares you for an emergency. This is called the "fight or
flight" response, which results in increased heart rate,
increased breathing, increased muscle tension, and increased
blood pressure. Hands and feet get cold because blood is directed
away from extremities and digestive systems to large muscles for
fighting or running. Adrenal glands secrete corticoids
(adrenaline, epinephrine, and norepinephrine), which inhibit
digestion, reproduction, growth, tissue repair, and responses of
the immune and inflammatory systems.

Evolution has not changed our wiring. Our bodies still react in
the same way to emergencies - except now the emergency isn't a
saber-toothed tiger, it's deadlines, traffic, grades, and so on.

If the problem or challenge is something you want (such as
getting married, having a baby, getting promoted, starting your
own business) this reaction (stress) will keep you motivated to
do your best.

If the problem or challenge is unwanted or perceived as
insurmountable (i.e. unreasonable deadlines, bad boss, marital
problems) this reaction (stress) may lead to unhealthy behaviors
such as increased smoking, increased drinking, short temper,
etc.

The good news is that you can learn to control these reactions.
Awareness is the key. Because each person responds differently to
different kinds of stressors, it's your reaction to the stressor
that makes the difference!  How much stress does it take to get
you to peak performance and how much before stress takes over
your body and mind?

I have been helping people reach their personal and professional
goals for the past 14 years.  There's nothing more satisfying
than helping someone reach their potential for success.  I would
like the opportunity to help you reach your goals.  I am a
Professional Coach with a Ph.D. in Psychology and a specialty in
Goal Achievement and Transitions.  Check out my website: <a
href="http://www.ParamountTransitions.com">www.ParamountTransitions.com</a>
then call me for a free consultation.

Syndicated by Top Gazebos - www.topgazebos.net

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