Sustained psychological stress is a recent invention. So how can we learn to become proactive copers and prepare ourselves for what’s ahead?
; it’s by Robert Sapolsky, a biologist from Stanford University. When visiting Africa, one of my most memorable experiences was an excursion to the Masai Mara in Kenya. Lions were waiting quietly for their prey even when they appeared to be tearing and devouring an earlier catch. We observed zebras enjoying their day as they clustered around a watering hole. Meanwhile, a lion was ready to move towards the same spot, possibly eyeing his next meal.
“Zebras and lions may see trouble coming in the next minute and mobilise a stress response in anticipation, but they can’t get stressed about events far into the future.” Early stress researchers identified and described numerous major life events as stresses. However, less major events can also be experienced as stresses, such as starting a new job, loss of a friendship, missing out on being selected for a team or an event, having an argument with a neighbour, or getting a parking ticket. It is how the individual sees these events and the resources they bring to it that matters.
Proactive coping is a useful tool: it is about thinking ahead and making plans and preparations. It results in making investments and building up a stockpile of personal, social and economic resources.