Written by: Dianne McKim, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
So much has changed over the last couple of years, including what is causing us stress and the level of stress we are experiencing. I have seen so many articles about stress and its increase yet, with all that is reported the statistics continue to rise.
According to the American Psychological Association, U.S. adults surveyed in 2020* reported that increased stress has:
Negatively affected their behavior(49%)
Increased tension in their bodies (21%)
Caused them to “snap” out of anger(20%)
Caused unexpected mood swings (20%)
Almost 8 out of 10 Americans reported that the coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused them stress
Seventy-seven percent of U.S. adults report feeling stressed over the future of the nation, up from 66% in 2019
In 2020, 63% of U.S. adults said that the economy is a significant source of stress, compared to 46% in 2019
Nearly two-thirds of professionals say their stress levels at work in the past year were higher than they were five years ago (Korn Ferry, 2019)
In addition to these statistics, it is interesting to note that nearly half of adults (49%) report their behavior has been negatively affected by the increase in their stress levels. They have reported the following:
increased tension in their bodies(21%)
“snapping” or getting angry very quickly (20%)
unexpected mood swings (20%)
screaming or yelling at a loved one (17%)
So what conclusions can we draw from all these statistics? We can see the toll stress is taking on us, both physically and emotionally. Even half of Gen Z teens (51%) report that the coronavirus pandemic makes planning for their future feel impossible, and more than 2 in 3 Gen Z adults in college (67%) say the coronavirus pandemic makes planning for their future feel impossible. With the huge impact stress is having, we are feeling less secure and most certainly less confident. How can we plan for our future with so much uncertainty? How do we stand strong and believe in ourselves when everything around us seems out of control? It is so important for each of us to remember, we do have choices. We can choose how to handle each day, each week, each month. We can make plans for our future with the readiness to shift and adjust as needed should circumstances change. Reminding ourselves that flexibility is key these days will go a long way in relieving stress when our plans get altered and helping us feel more capable to handle what comes our way. Finding our way through the maze of stressors with the belief that we will get through it all in a good way will increase our confidence despite what is happening in the world around us. When we challenge ourselves to do this it gets our brains thinking of ways we can achieve the levels of confidence we desire. With our brains focused in that direction, our inspiration and creativity grow which in turn also builds our confidence. Did you know that chronic, ongoing stress is often considered a high-risk factor for conditions such as colds, insomnia, migraine headaches, infertility, chronic pain, hypertension, and even heart disease and cancer? Unchecked stress is no joke. The long term impact will cause not
only physical problems but emotional and it will also affect our confidence levels in all areas of our lives.
There is a way to turn the tide of stress and lack of confidence. To get started on your journey to feeling better and being more confident, you need to understand your personal stress levels and how you can manage them before they lead to serious health issues. Utilizing specific scientifically validated assessments, we can work together and unpack stress warning signs such as hostility/anger, time urgency, perfectionism, and disappointment. We will dig in and help you understand both your areas of strength and those areas you need to work on. With this kind of knowledge you can begin to make immediate changes in those weaker areas and rely more heavily on your stronger areas lessening your stress and building your confidence.
If you are ready to take the step toward living a healthier and more confident life, email me at dianne@PreciousStonesCoaching.com. I am excited for your more confident and less stressed future!!
Statistics taken from: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/sia-mental- health-crisis.pdf
Dianne McKim, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
A Certified Career, Leadership, and Life Coach, Workshop Facilitator, Author, Speaker and Guest Interviewee, Dianne McKim has the professional training, personal experiences and knowledge to help clients successfully grow and thrive.
Dianne enjoyed a long and impactful career in Corporate America successfully leading teams, influencing peers, mentoring team members, and interacting at all corporate levels (including C Levels). During that time she developed strong relationships with executives, management, peers, and team members allowing her to successfully spearhead major projects while negotiating, and navigating bureaucracy.
This wasn't always the way, however. Dianne is an abusive relationship survivor, navigated through a long and difficult divorce which resulted in her running a household, working full time the whole time, and raising children as a single mom for 14 years. She dealt with family issues, job losses and job searches, loss of relationships, a lack of confidence and very low self-esteem.
Over time, Dianne rebuilt her life, rediscovering herself and strengthening her confidence. As she did, she learned how to stand strong in her abilities, understand her value and embrace her identity. As her confidence grew, she discovered how to have professional success, personal contentment, and spiritual fulfillment.
Dianne has taken all that she learned along with her unparalleled ability and deep care and compassion for others and began Precious Stones Coaching. Her coaching style is inviting, understanding, and encouraging with just the right amount of leadership, guidance, and accountability to help her clients focus on their priorities and accomplish their goals. Dianne wholeheartedly commits to helping her clients achieve and fulfill their calling, purpose, and destiny.
