A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?"
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything."
It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!
How often do you put your glass down?
Or do you sometimes hold it for a long period?
Source: Science Is Madness
Great info....In the past, I considered myself to be a stress collector. small things that most people could care less about, would cause me stress. I have since changed and I can truly say that my life is so much better. What good did it do for me to stress anyways? Good post
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to be stress resistant and I am working on it every day. The text is an additional deal-with-stress reminder to me. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a inspiring post dear.
ReplyDeleteThank you x
So true.....very insightful.
ReplyDeleteGreat way to help people get rid of STRESS.. Put it DOWN... Give it AWAY.... Just don't let it control us!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Miss Sunflowers.
Hugs,
Betsy
good advice here!
ReplyDeleteA great way to explain stress...sure would be nice to reach the place we never even pick it up.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful analogy, and so very very true. Carrying that glass of water all the time is not only exhausting, but completely pointless. It also prevents one from enjoying everything else, and what a waste, when each day is all we can know with certainty. And yet how often, despite knowing all this, we still lug the thing around. Thank God for the freedom and peace that come with faith! What a coincidence, by the way, since I mentioned a glass perspective in my current post too :)
ReplyDeleteI fret and worry far too much but it's hard to change the habits of a lifetime. I do try!!
ReplyDeleteHey! If you look at my last post, you will see a Youtube clip of my son in his band! Would LOVE to know what you think and would love to see a positive comment from you! I am asking this really for my son's benefit, as he is looking at my blog and needs encouragement!
Thanks!!
i love the simplicity of the sample the psychologist gave re how stress affects our lives... :) i should remember that one.
ReplyDeleteWow, how inspiring, Ms. Farida! Natamaan ako because I hold grudges and stresses for a long time. I actually only learned how to let go of my grudges recently, and I'm still learning.
ReplyDeleteOh, such a beautiful thought for the week....
ReplyDeletethis is a nice realization which all boils down to how a person faces adversities in life. i make it a point not to stress out over petty things because i know i'll suffer its consequences in the end.
ReplyDeleteWonderful advice.
ReplyDeleteHay ate Farida, I wish I can just swallow a whole liter of water. I guess dealing with stress has a different approach from my end. Nanjan na I don't eat :(
ReplyDeleteWhen I get stress, I don't usually think about it to much, I'll find something that excites me like baking and inviting friend over.. I would definitely put my glass down right away. I'm not gonna invest my emotion to something that makes me hurt.. Thanks for sharing Sis, this is great!
ReplyDeleteHi Farida! So happy to find your blog today!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great lesson. I have never heard of that little parable before. I should put my glass down earlier in the day, before I get a hand cramp, right? Sadly, I have held on way too long in the past. It's not good.
I know I remember this story for a long time. Thank you! So nice to meet you today :)
Ceil
I haven't thought about this in a while. I think I haven't been setting the glass down as often as I should. specially on those days when I get home and get to sleep almost immediately. Or is sleep a way of managing stress?
ReplyDeleteI really love this inspirational story. As for me, I try to be positive most of the times. Though stress is always around the corner. I think it's part of my life na but the thing is I don't hold it. I just let it hang there, hehe, Seriously, I trust God, I have my family, I have my husband and my son, so stress has no place in my life.
ReplyDeleteI like that, "don't forget to put your glass down." :D I guess, I'm one of few people who are really not worriers. For example, I can leave at the office issues at work and focus on family. :) But when it comes to family issues, it's so hard to detach yourself! LOL
ReplyDeletethis make sense.. so no wonder when i am stress i am get sick.. i mean asthma would visit me..
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent story and fantastic way to convey an important message about stress. I love the story and continue to work to help myself not be so stressed out over nonsense. God job!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
wonderful thought. I can share this with my students. :) thanks you!
ReplyDeleteI try to remove stress before it accmulates too much..reading reflecting relaxing.
ReplyDeleteNice way of looking at it! I have always tried to look at things in a positive way...much like you!!! I usually don't let negative thoughts bring me down... like, if things don't go the way I want , I accept it that there is always a greater reason that it doesn't happen. I wondered why we (three of the hospital's senior leaders) couldn't attend the Hospital Management Asia in Bangkok last September 9. We realized now that the Zamboanga Crisis would linger on, now for 14 days! If we left then, we could imagine how low morale our staff would be! The Zamboanga Crisis a very stressful time for us here in Zamboanga, but the high morale and engagement of the employees in the hospital with all the smiles is inspiration enough for us, thus, so helpful for lessening the stress. That is why these days, I was blogging in between all the responsibilities that I have to do! I felt this was my Stress-releaser and my way of inspiring and thanking the people around me!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this Farida! I badly need to read more inspiring posts like this. Stress is eating me out most of the time.
ReplyDeleteSo that should be the mantra.. remember to put the glass down.. thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeletePretty Gorgeous Kikay
Sometimes, I used to think for it all day but before going to bed, I just let it go for while to have a nice and deep sleep.
ReplyDeleteallan (www.ourfamilyblogsabout.info)