to remove yourself , to withdraw for rest and recovery . The key is to be aware that you ’ re doing it and to communicate this need .
The second consequence of chronic stress on our communication is reduced awareness . When we are in a season of sustained stress , our ability to recognize other people ’ s social cues gets diminished . We are literally unaware of social and environmental signals around us . Have you ever had that experience when you ’ re trying to end a conversation with someone who keeps talking , and you try to politely step back , but they actually step forward and keep talking ?
Sustained stress literally blocks our ability to see and interpret relevant social information . This perpetuates a cycle of increased confusion and anxiety .
Reduced awareness as a survival technique is meant to help us focus on “ getting through ” and only noticing what ’ s absolutely necessary . But as we know , surviving isn ’ t the same as thriving . Surviving isn ’ t even the same as maintaining or doing fine ; it ’ s the bare minimum . Like horse blinders or walking around without your glasses or contacts , when we ’ re in seasons of sustained stress we can ’ t see well . We can ’ t see really important things , scenarios , or people well and that will get us into trouble .
The other interesting aspect of reduced awareness is that as we miss the social and environmental cues , we also become overly self-focused — hyperconscious of ourselves in a way that ’ s distracting and distorted . Those with reduced awareness are cognitively overloaded and emotionally fried .
Lastly , the consequence of chronic stress on our communication is evident in immense physical tension , manifested in physical and communication . This includes the simultaneous impact of increased anxiety , which limits blood flow to the brain , causing negative , confusing messages to those we are interacting with , and even ourselves . Physically , we might experience an increase in heart rate and rapid breathing , cold or sweaty hands , feet jiggling or clenched hands , even a shift in our vocal pitch . Remember , our bodies are signaling us with important messages .
While stress seems to be part of life , chronic stress isn ’ t something to ignore . We need to stay alert to moments that stretch on and turn into seasons , which turn into lifestyles . We must protect our calling from being choked by this deceptive force .
In the pursuit of work as a calling , there will be setbacks . Maybe you ’ re feeling that right now . I ’ ve certainly been there . Maybe you ’ re a recent college graduate trying to find a starting job that leads to a sense of calling and you have no idea how to start that process ; or you ’ re in mid-career and realizing that your current work has lost its meaning , and feelings of disorientation are taking over ; or you ’ ve found yourself in a season where really hard life stuff is morphing your work calling into a shell of what it once was . Where can you go from here ?
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