By Tom Filsinger, adjunct instructor of psychology
Is stress an enemy or friend? It all depends on your point of view.
Stress is defined as a state of mental or emotional strain resulting from demanding circumstances. Stressors refer to stimuli that cause stress.
Every living being experiences stress in day-to-day life. There’s nothing unusual about stress, but how we respond dictates to a great degree how effectively we will cope.
In psychology we refer to people who cope effectively with stress as having a trait called psychological hardiness. Hardy people are resilient and cope with stress in productive ways, turning the emotional energy of stress to their advantage. In other words, coping with stress effectively is all about personal empowerment.
The concept of psychological hardiness was introduced by Salvatore Maddi several decades ago. He believed that hardy people know how to think clearly and solve problems in productive ways. They take personal responsibility for their actions and work towards goals optimistically. Research has supported Maddi’s ideas that hardiness predicts success and adaptive coping.
What are the main factors of psychological hardiness?
First, people who are hardy have an internal locus of control, which means they feel in control of their life and circumstances and act in accordance with those beliefs. These people do not blame external circumstances for their setbacks. They attempt to learn from mistakes and move forward.
Second, people with a hardy personality are committed to attaining their goals. They don’t give up. This means they don’t wait for success to come to them, they work hard to be successful.
Third, people with psychological hardiness view stressors as challenges to be overcome, not problems that are overwhelming. Obstacles become opportunities for growth. Viewed in this manner, succeeding despite pressures and stress becomes a badge of honor.
Learning to cope with stress productively is a process that never ends; life is full of stressors at every stage. Implementing strategies and adopting healthy attitudes can carry over to much of your life, but the key is, it’s up to you!
Tom Filsinger, Msaidizi Mwalimu wa Saikolojia: Je, Mkazo Ni Adui au Rafiki? Yote hutegemea maoni yako. Mkazo hufafanuliwa kuwa hali ya mkazo wa kiakili au wa kihisia-moyo unaosababishwa na hali zenye kusumbua. Vichocheo vya mkazo hurejezea vichocheo vinavyosababisha mkazo. Kila kiumbe hai hupata mkazo katika maisha ya kila siku. Hakuna kitu kisicho cha kawaida kuhusu mfadhaiko, lakini jinsi tunavyoitikia huamua kwa kiwango kikubwa jinsi tutakavyoshughulika nayo. Katika saikolojia, watu wanaoshinda mkazo kwa ufanisi wana sifa inayoitwa nguvu ya kisaikolojia. Watu wenye nguvu ni wenye nguvu na hushughulika na mkazo kwa njia zenye matokeo, wakigeuza nishati ya kihisia-moyo ya mkazo kuwa faida yao. Kwa maneno mengine, kukabiliana na mkazo kwa ufanisi ni juu ya kuimarisha uwezo wa kibinafsi. Dhana ya uthabiti wa kisaikolojia ilianzishwa na Salvatore Maddi miongo kadhaa iliyopita. Aliamini kwamba watu wenye nguvu wanajua jinsi ya kufikiri waziwazi na kutatua matatizo kwa njia zenye matokeo. Wao huchukua daraka la kibinafsi kwa matendo yao na kufanya kazi kuelekea malengo kwa matumaini. Utafiti umeunga mkono mawazo ya Maddi kwamba uvumilivu unatabiri mafanikio na kukabiliana na mabadiliko. Ni mambo gani makuu yanayofanya mtu awe na nguvu za kiakili? Watu wenye nguvu wana locus ya ndani ya udhibiti, ambayo inamaanisha wanahisi kudhibiti maisha yao na hali na kutenda kulingana na imani hizo. Watu hao hawawatoi mashtaka mambo ya nje kwa sababu ya kushindwa kwao. Wanajaribu kujifunza kutokana na makosa yao na kuendelea na maisha yao. Pili, watu wenye utu wenye nguvu wamejitolea kufikia malengo yao. Hawaachii. Hii inamaanisha hawangoji mafanikio ya kuja kwao, wanafanya kazi kwa bidii ili kufanikiwa. Tatu, watu wenye nguvu za kiakili huona mambo yanayowafanya watu wawe na mkazo kuwa magumu ya kushinda, wala si matatizo yenye kulemea. Vizuizi huwa fursa za kukua. Kwa maoni hayo, kufanikiwa licha ya mkazo na mkazo huwa ishara ya heshima. Kujifunza kukabiliana na mkazo kwa njia yenye matokeo ni mchakato ambao hauwezi kamwe kumalizika; maisha yamejaa mambo yenye kusababisha mkazo katika kila hatua. Utekelezaji wa mikakati na kupitisha mitazamo ya afya inaweza kubeba juu ya mengi ya maisha yako, lakini ufunguo ni, ni juu yako!