The 7 Stages of Stress
Our stress reaction occurs in seven distinct stages.
Until we can recognize which stage our stress reaction is at it can be difficult to reduce stress. Thus, the first step in reducing stress is to learn what the different stages of stress are.
- Denial: When something happens the initial reaction is always denial. How many times have you heard yourself or others say, "I can't believe it!" Keep in mind this stage may last for a mere fraction of a second.
- Acknowledgment: The moment we acknowledge something "bad" or "unpleasant" has happened is when we begin feeling stressed. At this stage we have simply recognized that something we dislike or are repulsed by has occurred. We do not yet know what to do. Again this stage may only last for a fleeting fraction of a second.
- Suffering: This is where we begin wishing that whatever has happened had not. It occurs the moment we have thoughts like "I wish this hadn't happened" or "it just isn't fair" or "I wish I could change it." This stage can last a few seconds to a few years.
- Resistance: Once we try "fixing" what is wrong we enter the resistance or fighting stage. While in this stage we still continue suffering. It is the suffering (wishing things were different) that makes us want to fight -- we dislike what has happened and try changing it. If we can then the stress ends. Again this stage can last from a few seconds to years.
- Worrying: When we see that our resistance is not working we begin worrying. This is our mind attempting to find a way to fix what is wrong. In this stage our stress (suffering) can become intense. Unfortunately, by the time we reach this stage it is unlikely we will find a solution to our problem (the source of our stress). So usually this stage lasts a long time until we get help.
- Capitulation: When we cannot find a solution to our problem at some point we give up. When that happens our stress begins to dimiinish since we have now stopped resisting what we dislike.
- Acceptance: This stage ends our stress. Once we accept the circumstance there is no more stress. This is the only way to end stress when stage 4 fails.
Trioga teaches people how to get to stage 7 as quickly as possible since while experiencing stages 2 through 6 we are unhappy and feeling stressed. Surprisingly, with just a few insights most people learn how to skip stages 3 through 6 alltogether.
