Do you run on adrenaline or on vitality? Vitality is a natural,
persistent energy and costs you very little. Adrenaline is a hormone
that stimulates the nervous system to act energetically for a
temporary period. You have vitality when all of your systems are
working completely and in harmony. If you have eliminated things
that you merely tolerate, and spend your time at activities that you
find inherently enjoyable, you will be vital.
When you tap into your vitality, you are able to sustain a
comfortable level of activity without dramatic ups and downs.
However, when you use adrenaline to meet deadlines or get yourself
going every day, your days will feel like a ride on a roller
coaster, with highs and lows that you cannot sustain indefinitely.
It's healthier in the long run to shift away from adrenaline-charged
crisis management and toward developing steadier sources of energy.
Try this
ADRENALINE ADDICT SELF-TEST:
o o I drink caffeinated coffee or drinks to get
or keep going.
o o I eat sugar to calm myself down.
o o I tend to overpromise and then rush to get it
done at the last minute.
o o I find some way to sabotage myself or a
project, yet usually pull it off.
o o I tend to take on more than I really want
because I feel I can.
o o I react strongly to the unexpected.
o o I find myself getting very upset or irritated
(whether I show it or not) when people let me down, miss deadlines
or do less-than-optimal work. Sometimes I take it personally.
o o I arrive at work rushed or already "on."
o o I am grabbed by surprises and disturbances and
then I can't calm down for a day or more.
o o I feel an inner rush or lack of stillness or
peace much of the time.
o o I am clearly winning at work, yet working
very hard.
o o I'm the kind of person who tends to find the
toughest way to get something done.
o o I drive more than 5 miles over the speed
limit, tailgate or criticise other drivers.
o o I tend to run or arrive late, even if it's
not my fault.
o o I find that I attract more problems and
disturbances than I feel I deserve.
o o Money is currently tight and I have been
working on getting ahead, but haven't.
o o It is difficult to focus on any one thing for
more than 10 minutes at a time.
o o I don't give myself plenty of time during the
day for the things that are likely to come up.
o o I talk a lot even after people have stopped
listening.
o o I please people to the point of feeling
compulsive, without regard to appropriateness or cost.
Scoring: If
you answered yes to 5 or more of these, welcome to the club. When
you're ready, willing and able, invest in outside counsel to get
through this addiction.
For the Top 16 Stress Reduction Strategies send an email to
bs@futurevisions.org
with "MWS Top Stress Tips"
in the subject and nothing in the body
