Do You feel Stressed, Unhealthy or Normal?
How should we feel? In reality there is no normal. Everyone is different, everyone copes with situations differently. Our view of what is normal changes from time to time, culture to culture, class to class, and so on. Even gender roles have evolved considerably over time.
A simple example of how - what is perceived as normal can change, is as follows. A hundred years ago, someone walking along talking to a little box held next to their ear would have been considered “abnormal”. Five hundred years ago, they might have been thought to be possessed. Today, it is perfectly normal in most countries to be walking along talking to a cell phone. So, what is culturally or socially appropriate now is not always the same as it once was.
There are many different theories of what is abnormal. These theories focus on negatives and what may be “wrong” with a person. Very few theories look at what is positive and how to achieve positive mental health.
Marie Jahoda (1958) came up with six criteria to determine if a person has good mental health:
- Self-attitudes - having high self-esteem and a personal identity
- Integration – being able to cope with stressful situations
- Accurate perception of reality - understanding life as it really is.
- Personal growth and self-actualisation – reaching your full capabilities
- Autonomy - being able to look after yourself, being independent
- Mastery of the environment - being able to adjust to new environments
Some Stress is Fine
Some level of stress is good or even necessary. It helps to motivate us into action. Without it, some people wouldn’t get much done. Stress is only problematic if it is ongoing and is unable to be resolved. It is also more of a problem for those who are unable to deal with it adequately because they have not learnt suitable coping mechanisms. Also people are more prone to mental and physical health problems related to conflict and stress than others.
Learn more about stress with our ebook on Negative Emotions (publication date -March 2015) or our Stress Management Course