Fewer and fewer people are able to adequately cope with the increasing stresses of the work phase. One point is often overlooked: Only when we are well rested are we mentally strong, optimistic, motivated, able to communicate and ready for action. In short: efficient. Tired and burnt out, we feel bad. In the long term, the risk of illness increases. All the basic prerequisites for a successful and satisfying professional and relationship life are restricted. For example, those who have high communication skills cannot fully develop them if they feel drained.
The dynamics of stress and recovery
Many people have an understanding of recovery that corresponds to the light switch principle. After the end of work, so the deceptive opinion, recovery sets in automatically as if at the push of a button, similar to a light switch. The boss or the customers are no longer there, no more orders have to be completed, the time pressure is gone. But the carousel in the head continues to turn, which irritates many. The most important connections between stress and recovery are:
- Type and duration of the stress phase radiate into the recovery phase.
- The longer and stronger the stress phase lasts, the longer it takes until we recover from it.
- Two poles characterize mental-psychological overload: first, internal over-excited and tense. Second, lack of energy and desire.
- Our organism intuitively knows how to recover from physical stress. Namely, do nothing. For example, everyone finds the idea of going for a jog to recover after a strenuous bike ride absurd. This intuitive knowledge has developed and become genetically anchored in the course of the last millennia, during which stress was predominantly physical. But our organism does not intuitively know how to recover from mental-psychological stress, because it is still young in human history.
What is done professionally in competitive sports, namely to attach even the same importance to the recovery processes as to the stress processes, remains stuck in everyday life in the layman stage. Everyone just tries, as best he can, to cope with the stresses from the work phase. Some succeed, most do not.
The renaissance of virtues
A revolution of sorts is taking place in U.S. academic psychology right now. Whereas for decades psychologists dealt with negative events such as the consequences of a difficult childhood, traumatic crises, etc., they are now researching such central life issues as:
- What gives us strength and energy in life?
- What helps us to best cope with professional and personal challenges?
The scientists themselves were surprised that their research led to similar results over and over again. Namely, the central importance of “old” virtues. They not only make you satisfied and more resilient in the short term, but also cushion the negative effects of stress in the long term. And they have a positive effect during both leisure and stressful periods.
Meaning and values
People who find meaning in their work are better able to cope with the stresses that occur there. Two examples show that it is possible to find meaning in one’s work even under difficult circumstances.
- Thus, an employee at the garbage collection said, “Without us, our life together would be unbearable”.
- A saleswoman at a large Swiss retail chain said, “The most beautiful thing in my job is to accompany people in their loneliness.”
Both have succeeded in doing something valuable. Namely, to give a rather unattractive activity a special meaning. They see their work in a positive light. This makes them more resilient- or in other words: their positive attitude acts as a stress buffer.
The Human’s Greatest Strength: Other Humans.
Most people care most about good relationships. Why? American neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky provides information on this. He used blood samples to examine the stress levels of monkeys living in the Serengeti. And was surprised by the result himself. The more and more lasting friendships a monkey had, the lower the concentration of stress hormones in his blood. The more he cared for others and others cared for him, the healthier and more relaxed he was. Friendships cushion the stresses of everyday savannah and clan life.These findings prove that friendships are an effective program against the harmful effects of overload that has been genetically designed for millions of years and that we humans have inherited from our ancestors. Social contacts are a good stress buffer, promote our regeneration after an illness and much more. They even have a stronger impact on our lifespan than the risk factors of smoking, alcohol, obesity or lack of exercise. Namely, about 2.8 years for women and 2.3 years for men.
The role of gratitude in the concept of recovery
Gratitude research has produced a large body of interesting research in recent years. It has been particularly promoted by Sir John Templeton, founder of the eponymous equity fund. Whether we recover depends crucially on how we evaluate past, present and future events. Do we look back on our lives with satisfaction and gratitude? Or do we assess our life balance negatively? If we assess our past negatively, we also tend to assess ourselves negatively. After all, we are to some extent responsible for our past. In addition, we open the door to negative feelings in our lives. And feel bad. Also in relation to our present. For those who are at odds with their past find it difficult to be in harmony with their present. However, those who discover many things in their past for which they may be grateful promote positive feelings in the present. Simply because gratitude makes us feel satisfied with ourselves and our lives. Charles Dickens also recognized this and recommends, “Think of your present blessings, of which everyone has many, and not of your past misfortunes, of which everyone has some.” And in doing so, a small miracle happens. We suddenly discover more and more things that make our lives more livable and friendly. And thus bring more and more positive emotions into our lives. We become more content and balanced and recover better. An attitude of gratitude directs our attention away from stressful events and towards the positive sides. And it is not even tied to prior achievements that we would first have to make. We don’t need to be at our best to be grateful for the positive aspects of life. Moreover, being grateful is an effective antidote to over-critical questioning and permanent self-pushing. It makes it easier for us to let go inwardly and come to rest. This, too, promotes our recovery.
Gratitude – an attitude
To be grateful, we do not need to wait until things are perfect, or until something particularly positive happens to us. Rather, just the opposite. Gratitude is not so much a reaction to a positive circumstance, but an attitude that we internalize over time and that becomes a guiding principle for our lives. Being grateful makes us more open to life’s blessings. The more grateful we are, the more we discover what we can be more grateful for. Or as a Nigerian proverb goes, “Be thankful for little and you will find much.” The key to this is in our hands.
Simple exercise for everyday life
Take 5 to 10 minutes to do the following exercise. Think of a person or an incident for which you may be grateful. Put yourself in the situation and then pay particular attention to the positive feelings it awakens in you. Practice 2-3 times a week. It is especially helpful if you think in gratitude of the people who are close to you.
