If you are continuously stressed out and searching for more things to add to your plate instead of dealing with the stress you currently have, you may be an addict.
It may appear absurd to be addicted to something that may make you feel overwhelmed and downright unpleasant, but this is typically associated with being overworked, being a perfectionist, and believing that the more you attempt to do, the better off you will be.
Continue reading to find out more about stress, how it may become an addiction, and what you can do about it.
What It's Like to Have a Stress Addiction
It might be difficult to tell if you are addicted to stress, especially if you are used to being anxious most of the time. It can be difficult for persons who suffer from chronic stress to distinguish between when their stress is a problem and when it is something they actively desire.
Here are some of the most prevalent symptoms that you may be addicted to stress:
Never having enough free time – To begin with, if you feel as if you never have enough free time, you may be addicted to stress. Even those who are extremely busy the most of the time and have a packed schedule have some spare time. If you have no spare time seven days a week, it is more probable that you are looking for new activities to occupy your time.
Always filling your calendar — Similarly, you may be constantly seeking for new ways to fill your calendar. Perhaps you've noticed that when you have a day free on the weekend, you tend to hunt for extra things to do. You volunteer to assist others, you add extra chores to the ones you're currently working on, and you strive to learn something new.
There is nothing wrong with working hard and moving forward in life, but there is something wrong with feeling obligated to do so. This is a strong indication that you may be hooked to the stress and overload that a hectic lifestyle delivers.
Being bored when you have nothing to do – Are you bored on those rare instances when you have nothing to do and no plans? Do you have trouble deciding what to do with your free time? Do you experience apprehension when you have spare time? This might be another indicator of a stress addiction.
When you're busier, you feel more accomplished — You may be the type of person that feels more successful the busy you are. That lack of sleep, 80-hour work weeks, and never having time for friends and family simply means you're working harder than them, dreaming big, and accomplishing more. This is not a healthy way to think. As a human being, you require rest for both your mind and your body.
Getting Used to the Feeling of Being Overwhelmed – This is an indication that may not appear to be an issue, but it might be one of the most serious. You may not even be aware of your stress if you spend so much of your time worried out and overwhelmed. You become used to it, you become accustomed to that sense of discomfort, and you adjust to the mental and physical symptoms of stress.
This is most likely because to your addiction, since you are not only adding more to your schedule, but you are also doing nothing to alleviate the stress you are currently experiencing.
How to Overcome Your Stress Addiction
If any of these describes you, it is time to address your stress addiction. You must first accept that you are living with chronic stress and that you may be actively seeking it. You must recognize that everyone requires a break and that stress is typical, but not normal.
The next stage is to concentrate on basic measures to lessen your stress. This may be as simple as saying no to one thing this week, or having at least a few hours of free time every week, gradually increasing to a day and finally a whole weekend.
You will notice a difference if you make minor modifications.
