It’s a given - we all have stress in our life. 

Some of us – more than others.

What is stress? 

Well simply put … its reaction to the pressure of certain experiences. 

Ya think!?

As in everything, there is good and bad.  The same holds true with stress.  It is both a cause and an effect of other problems.

Good stress, for the most part, is acute and temporary, triggering an adaptive (strengthening) response.

Bad stress, is chronic, long term and persistent, triggering a destructive (breaking-down) response.

Girly girls, let me let you in on a little secret.  Stress will play a huge role in survival.  You can't escape it, but you can learn to harness it.

Stress is the body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened alertness. 

Believe it or not this kind of stress can actually be a good thing.  It gives us an understanding of just how much pressure we can handle. Think back for a minute.  Remember the “feeling” you got before taking a test or interviewing for a job?  That kind of stress can give you the extra energy you need to perform at your best. 

On the flip side, stress can also be destructive, and if allowed to take over, can cause panic.  In turn all our training goes out the window.  You’ve seen it people who just seem crumble in a crisis situation.   This is caused by our fight or flight response” during critical emergency situations.  The body prepares itself to fight or flee by giving it the energy needed for whatever decision is made.  Some cope by doing nothing.

The key in survival, when place in a pressure situation, is not to let the stress get the best of you. (I know - easier said than done)   Our bodies are magnificent machines (ah, excuse me; I'm referring to the inside).  In times of stress our body will kick in to 'protection mode' (fight or flight).  Like the robot in Lost in Space? – ‘Danger, Will Robinson’ (look it up if it was before you time ha!)

In survival we are going to encounter a lot of stressful situations.  We must know this going in and learn to condition our minds.   Read, read, and read. Repetition reinforces.

There will be injuries, sickness and yes, even death.  There will be the matter of inclimate weather, food, shelter, safety and so on. (To tell you the truth, just the thought of these, causes a little internal stress for me, but again, that's natural.) 

Everything you are, and everything you have learned in preparing for survival will determine what you will find stressful or not in any given situation.

There's no way to avoid stress in this type of situation, but we can tap into what we have learned to be better work with it.

- Survivor Jane

Related Articles:

Second Chance at Life – What Will You Do With It?
Hurrying up and Wait (The Disaster that Never Comes)
When Things Aren’t as Bad as They Said it Would Be
Band-aids and Beans and Bullets … Oh My!
Survivor Vice Grip - Did You Know Vices Can Save Your Life?
What if Tomorrow a Disaster Actually Did Happen?- (Preparing Today for Tomorrow)
Following Your Gut Instinct
Words Can't Describe It - (Visualizing a Disaster)
I think I can... I think I can - (Mental Preparedness)
Life is a Stage – (Practicing for Survival)
Afraid of the Dark? (Surviving in the Dark)
Do you have any spare CHANGE? - (Did you know it takes 21 days to CHANGE a habit).
“The Suddenness of the End” - (Our Mental State of Mind)
What is so Golden about a Horde? - (The Golden Horde - Mass Exodus after a Disaster)
What a Great Personality! - ('Knowing Your Disaster Personality)
Get Your Head Outta the Sand! – (Public Awareness Regarding Disasters)
How to share 'Your Secret' - (Sharing with Others How to Prepare for a Disaster)
I can’t Stress it enough (Survival under Stressful Conditions)
Be Prepared - (Not to be Confused with Hording)
Going It Alone - (When You are the Only Family Survivor)
Red Rover Red Rover - (Teaming Up with Like-Minded Survivalist)
Dress Rehearsal - (Preparing for Life after a Disaster)
Prepare Like There's No Tomorrow - (When the 'Poo' Hits the Fan)
'B’-ing Prepared (Make sure you are stocked with Beans, Bullets, and Band-aids)

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