“What’s the difference between pressure and stress?” This is a question, as a Stress Mastery coach, I’m often asked.
The two are different experiences. Let’s take a look at how they’re different and, what it means for our performance and wellbeing.
Pressure
The term 'pressure' means to press. All kinds of thoughts, situations, expectations and demands press on us as we go about our day. The demands can come from others (workload, work related responsibilities, family commitments etc) or they can be demands we put on ourselves (I need to .... , I must ..... , I have to .....).
In How to Perform Under Pressure - The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters The Most, the authors provide a helpful definition of a 'pressure moment/situation.' It's one that shares these four common attributes:
Meeting the demand is important to you
Your ability to meet the demand is uncertain
You feel you are responsible for the meeting the demand
You believe you will be judged on your performance in meeting the demand
The more important meeting the demand is to you, the more uncertain the outcome, and the more responsibility you feel for the results (and the more judged you feel), the more intense the pressure you'll experience. To a point, pressure is an energizer - it moves us to action and helps us to meet challenges. When under pressure we feel excited, energised, focused, clear headed etc.
There are marked individual differences as to what constitutes optimal pressure. What is an ideal level for one person may be too much for another. Air traffic controllers, surgeons, police officers and All Blacks all regularly have to perform under what most of us would perceive to be tremendous pressure. Those who can perform consistently well and seem relatively less affected by this pressure have a higher "pressure threshold," either naturally or through the experience of often being under high pressure.
When you perceive that the amount of pressure you experience exceeds your ability to cope your brain interprets this situation as a threat and your fight or flight response is triggered and, you experience stress.
Stress
Stress is the cocktail of (physiological, psychological and emotional) symptoms that we experience when we perceive that we are faced by a clear and present danger.
As far as our brain is concerned excessive pressure is a clear and present danger.
Once we are experiencing the stress that excessive pressure triggers, our performance rapidly drops away and we struggle with problem solving, decision making, lateral thinking and creative thinking. Stress doesn’t feel good. It’s exhausting, both mentally and physically.
When we experience stress over a sustained period it becomes chronic. Chronic stress is debilitating and has an adverse effect on our physical and emotional wellbeing. It has been linked to anxiety disorders, depression and the degrading of our immune system.
So what are you experiencing at this moment - pressure or stress?
Now that you have an understanding of the different between pressure and stress, pause for a moment and consider what you are experiencing right now? Stress or pressure?
If you’re experiencing pressure what are you going to do to ensure that the pressure doesn’t become excessive?
If you’re experiencing stress what are you going to do to reduce your stress level and avoid chronic stress?
If you don’t know what you’re going to do, then my upcoming workshop is designed to provide the answers you need.
Survive and Thrive Under Pressure Workshop
I'm running a one day workshop on August 17th at the Wellington High School called Survive and Thrive under Pressure. The workshop costs just $105. During the workshop I'll explain how we create pressure and, how excessive pressure leads to stress. I’ll also be sharing a number of very effective, practical techniques to help you perform at your best under pressure and avoid stress. To register for the workshop click here.
Once you get your pressure under control you can look forward to a more productive, less stressful life.
Tony Yuile is a Mind-set Coach and Clinical Hypnotherapist. He is an expert in helping people master stress and anxiety. If you’d like some help with mastering your stress or anxiety, you can contact Tony on 021 056 8389 or email him at tony@tycoaching.nz.