Why Avoiding Stress Is THE Thing You Should Avoid ? (No, there’s no mistake in the title.)

This applies to everyone, but for high school and college students (who are still developing), especially during exam periods or in social contexts, it can have significant consequences.

Darwin would be rolling in his grave! He taught us that it’s precisely the ability to adapt to stress that drives the evolution of species.

In fact, by trying too hard to avoid stress, we end up layering one emotion over another (yes, really) and demonizing something that is completely natural.

More importantly, when we’re less exposed to it or actively fear it, our reaction becomes amplified when we inevitably face it. This makes perfect sense and explains the rise of exam stress or social anxiety, which have skyrocketed in recent years.

It’s a bit like people who need to go on a diet but want to avoid ever feeling hungry.

Stress is a natural response to the environment.

The real question is: at what point does it cross the line into being a real (not perceived) problem, or even pathological? Particularly in connection with work, which tends to trigger and multiply these reactions.

But how can we tackle this issue without discussing the different types of stress, their sources, and the scales used to measure them?

To start, here are two tools for evaluating stress:

• The Karasek Job Stress Questionnaire
• The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21)

Aren’t these the very entry points to social phobias and chronic stress in the end?

So, the next time someone sells you "zero stress," be cautious... Well, unless it’s about yoga, of course.

Otherwise, it might just be a recipe to turn a society of warriors into a flock of sheep on Prozac, while selling you some wilted salad! 🐑💊

Because yes, the "zero stress" idea is a marketing gimmick too.

P.S.: This is a message from the CDSU, the Committee for the Defense of Useful Stress 😉
P.S.2: I’m working on a more in-depth article about the different types of stress…