A high stress threshold helps us deal with many difficult situations with ease, writesAJIT KUMAR BISHNOI

We are aware of the term pain threshold. Still clarifying it, the word threshold is defined as the level at which something starts to have an effect. low pain threshold means that one will begin to react even when there is minor pain. Similarly, there is stress threshold. A low stress threshold translates into one reacting even when there is a minor stress. And if someone has this problem, it has a crippling effect on the quality of life.

Changes are inevitable in this world and all changes are not pleasant. Rather a majority of changes bring some stress and this cannot be helped. Many of us are guilty of having unrealistic ambitions. And what does this doIJ We come under excessive stress. And when one tries to live up to a wrong image of oneself, there is readymade stress. Another reason for being overstressed is not being sufficiently skilled to handle one’s duties. Also when one takes undue risks. Or one is unable to meets one’s goals.

These are some additional reasons why there is excessive stress. One is not able to support oneself financially. One has family problems. There is a break in relationship, like divorce. One suffers from poor health, especially of the mental kind. And one has too many attachments for material objects.

However, we can deal with them. To begin with, let us realise that no stress is going to last forever; it comes and goes. We can look back and assure ourselves that we have been able to overcome such stress quite successfully without suffering much damage. Then, one should not consider every stress as excessive, ie have a high stress threshold. life is full of ups and downs, one must accept this reality. Rather one should be prepared to face new challenges. A wise person avoids getting in stressful situations.

Everyone must have a lot of patience. The world moves at its own speed. We have to synchronise our thinking with it, not the other way around. Developing lot of skills and capabilities will help greatly because that will reduce dependency. There must be faith in God and his unfailing system that adverse circumstances come and go; they don’t last forever. One should pray to God for relief, and ability to tolerate suffering. If one is connected to God, he does help. Seek help from others as well, without being an object of ridicule. One should acquire spiritual knowledge, which will help in navigating through stressful situations. lastly, one should use relaxation techniques.

If we don’t do something about excessive stress, we get hurt in many ways. To begin with, peace will be lost, and we know what that means. Sleeping is the first thing which gets affected. Health, both physical and mental, is affected. In a highly stressed state, one is more likely to make mistakes and behave irrationally. One will not be able to perform according to one’s ability. Surely, one will not be happy and the quality of life will be poor.

Changes are inevitable in this world. It is true for everyone without any exception. And these changes do not always favour us. But what we consider stressful is important. When our stress threshold is high, we ride many difficult situations with ease and confidence.

Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be  reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com