The Stress Factor, Part 2: Breaking The Chain

Breaking the Chain

A certain amount of stress can be beneficial. It can challenge us and motivates some of us to put in more effort. However, chronic stress pushes our body, mind, and soul into a danger zone. We enter a fight or flight mode for almost everything and everyone. We yell, argue, and fight. We feel the need to be heard and to be right. We avoid serious issues because they are too difficult to handle or we are unsure of how to manage them, so we stress.

Chain links.

Significant events in our lives create links to deep emotions to our past. These links form a chain, binding us to the things that may have hurt, scared, disappointed, or angered us the most. We hold onto these chains and refer back to it when stress arises. "It's happened once, it will happen again" becomes our mantra.

It's totally normal to feel this way because we're naturally built to protect ourselves when we're stressed out. This comes from our biological and psychological makeup that’s been evolving for thousands of years. When we’re stressed, whether it’s from outside pressures, personal issues, traumas, or sudden changes around us, our bodies and minds kick into gear with responses meant to keep us safe. This automatic reaction is what we call the "fight or flight" response, gearing us up to either tackle the problem full force or run away from it.

The Brain

The Impact of Stress on Health and Well-being

When stress hits, our brain pumps out hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, making us more alert and speeding up our heart rate. This physical reaction makes us notice danger more sharply, so we take steps to protect ourselves. For instance, in a stressful situation, we might become more guarded, act defensively, or even pull back from social interactions. It’s just our natural way of trying to protect our emotional, physical and mental health.

This protective instinct isn’t just about immediate threats; it can also influence our behavior and thoughts over time. This trait, known as neuroticism, reflects how susceptible we are to negative emotions like anxiety and worry. People might develop coping mechanisms focused on self-preservation, such as avoiding situations that cause anxiety or stress, or relying on negative habits to get through tough times. While these methods might provide temporary relief, they can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation or hinder personal growth, as individuals may become overly cautious or hesitant to take on challenges that could ultimately make them stronger.

Getting a handle on this response is key because it helps us see that our feelings and actions during stressful times are tied to a deep survival instinct. By recognizing this, we can start exploring healthier ways to deal with stress, like reaching out for support, practicing mindfulness, or doing activities that help us relax. In the end, while wanting to protect ourselves is just part of being human, it’s important to find a balance that lets us tackle challenges instead of hiding away in self-protection mode.

Our precious teenagers ready for Homecoming!

Empowering Teens to Break Free from Invisible Chains

With two teenagers at home, we've noticed how they’ve formed their own chain connections—where each link is a burden, they feel they have to carry or handle on their own. These chains can show up as things like societal expectations, peer pressure, academic stress, or even personal insecurities that seem to weigh them down. As parents, it’s both eye-opening and worrying to see how these chains are built during the school years of life and into their teenage years, often without any of us realizing just how much they are affected by these burdens.

We now have regular family talks and in our family talks, we really try to keep things open and honest, so our teens feel comfortable sharing what’s on their minds as well. We remind them that we also struggle with our own chain links and while they might seem like a normal part of life, they don’t have to stick around forever. It’s important for them to see that those chains, even if they feel secure or like it's a part of their identity, they are not secure and don't have to identify themselves in those chains because they can only hold them back and prevent them from growing and being truly happy.

We want them to know they have the power to challenge the negative ideas and actions tied to those chains and the guts to break free from the limits they’ve unknowingly accepted. By teaching and encouraging them to be self-aware and leading by example ourselves, we can question those burdens and guide them toward liberation. It’s also about helping them understand that they can start living freely and happily right now, instead of waiting for some perfect moment or time.

Whether it’s the fear of failing that keeps them from chasing their dreams, the pressure to fit in that stifles their uniqueness, or the stress of needing to ace everything academically- it’s totally possible to change how they relate to these challenges. By embracing resilience and self-acceptance, they can start to shake off the weight of these burdens and step into a brighter, more authentic version of themselves.

At the end of the day, our goal is to support them through this journey, making sure they know they’re not alone in this. We’re here to help them navigate the ups and downs of being a teenager, encouraging them to build their inner strength and resilience so they can come out as confident, self-assured individuals ready to take on the world—without chains or burdens.

Do you find yourself facing similar challenges or relating to our journey? Discover how we can support you in reaching your goal and uncovering your superpowers and positive actions at www.Custom4Me2.com

Anderson Family October 2024