Stress
Stress: when demands exceed available resources
Stress is often presented as an enemy to be fought.
However, without stress, it would be difficult for us to adapt, react, or mobilize our energy to face the challenges of daily life.
Stress is part of the normal functioning of a living system.
The real question, therefore, is not:
How to eliminate stress?
But rather:
How can we enable the system to sustainably handle the demands it encounters?
Stress is an adaptive response
Faced with a new situation, a change or a constraint, the system naturally mobilizes its resources.
This mobilization prepares us to act, decide, learn or adapt.
In this situation, stress becomes an ally.
It supports engagement, attention, and the ability to act.
When does stress become a problem?
Stress becomes more difficult to manage when demands consistently exceed the system's capacity to process them.
Demand continues to increase.
The resources, however, are no longer being restored sufficiently.
Gradually, the following may appear:
- persistent fatigue;
- a decrease in concentration;
- increased irritability;
- decision-making difficulties;
- a loss of perspective;
- relational tensions.
The problem is therefore not solely the amount of work.
It also concerns the balance between the demands encountered and the resources available to respond to them.
The role of regulation
When faced with stress, the system constantly seeks to regain balance.
This regulatory capacity allows for adjusting responses to the situations encountered.
It helps to distinguish:
- which requires a significant mobilization;
- which can be deferred;
- which requires recovery;
- This requires a change of strategy.
When this regulation works properly, resources remain more available despite the challenges encountered.
Stress also affects teams
A team can also enter into a state of operation under pressure.
The number of emergencies is increasing.
The interruptions become permanent.
Decisions are made more quickly.
Tensions are rising.
Gradually, the organization is functioning more in reaction than in anticipation.
This dynamic requires a huge amount of resources.
When it is prolonged, it can weaken cooperation, the quality of decisions and the collective's ability to adapt.
Developing regulatory capacities
Regulation does not consist of systematically slowing down activity.
It primarily allows for better adaptation of responses to the situations encountered.
Developing this capacity helps to preserve individual and collective resources while maintaining the quality of action.
The goal is therefore not to eliminate stress.
It is to allow the system to continue processing what happens to it without gradually becoming exhausted.
Conclusion
Stress is not always the problem.
It can even be a sign that a system is fully mobilized.
The difficulty arises when demands consistently exceed available regulatory capacities.
Developing these capabilities allows individuals and teams to face challenges with greater stability, discernment, and freedom of action.