Good Stressors
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The notion that negative stressors can be detrimental to your health seems somewhat repetitive. And redundant. Everybody knows that bad stress is, well, bad.
Well, here's something many don't know. For some people in rickety states of health, good stressors can be bad too. And in fact, really good stressors can be terrible.
Sound nuts? Yes. Doesn't change it, though.
What are good stressors? The obvious, really. Spending time with good friends, getting good news, having a good time.
"But I don't understand," he says, "I was having so much fun."
"I know," she says, "I really enjoyed myself. I don't know why I'm feeling so ill."
That was Chronic A talking to Chronic B in what can seem like a never-ending refrain. Because some of us have this conversation with someone else, or just with ourselves, over and over and over again.
One of the nastiest crashes I ever had was after we had a good turn financially a few years ago. When it happened, I was thrilled. Delighted. Relieved. And within half an hour I began to buzz and vibrate, even though I wasn't going anywhere, I wasn't doing anything, I was just sitting in my livingroom being happy. Head started to fog up, vision began to fracture, stomach began to tie up in knots.
What in the world could be going on?
Too many good stressors, my friend. They'll get us chronics every time. Temporarily, anyway.
And we are puzzled and mystified that a time that was so good could bring about a consequence that is so bad.
But it can, my comrade in illness, and we both know it.
The body of a person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome longs for homeostasis. Is hungry for balance. Is thirsty for equilibrium. In everything, from blood pressure, to heart rate, to blood sugar, to serenity of mood, to peace of mind.
Even the good times can throw off the fragile balance that fragile bodies have to struggle to maintain.
So can a wonderful time really be too much?
You better believe it.
Am I saying, never enjoy yourself ever again?
I would never do that. But I am saying, ask your body if all this is true and it will tell you in a most convincing way that I cannot.
It needs a little peace. It needs a little rest. It may even need a little boredom.
You may have to pass up some good times now. I wish you didn't. I wish I didn't.
But if you can let some stillness in for now, you have a much better chance of being able to tear up the turf later.
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