Multitasking
In multitasking, an individual gives his/her mental attention to multiple tasks. The brain then tries to readjust itself to process all the tasks at the same time. As a result, straining sets in causing a stressed condition. In that way, multitasking is like a “stressed condition”.
In meditation and mindfulness, an individual engages his/her mind with one thing at a time while in multitasking, s/he tries to engage the mind to try and accomplish many tasks simultaneously.
An example in which I multitasked is when I engaged my mind in reading as well as listening to music at the same time.
I am not more productive when I multitask. The times during which I am less productive when I multi-task is when I attempt to read and listen to music simultaneously because when I read and listen to music simultaneously, my mind gives each task divided attention. As a result, the divided attention in my reading affects my ability to comprehend resulting in less productivity.
My Worst Job
When I was working at the acme hospital, my job description entailed undertaking stressful tasks. The job required that I stay awake all night, looking after patients, some of which were critically ill. On two different occasions, I painfully and helplessly watched two patients lose their lives in my own hands!
My workmates at the acme clinic heightened the stress in my already distressed life; all had one agenda of making me lose my job. To succeed, they told my immediate employer that I was talking ill of him on top of organizing an employees’ strike. My boss suspended me for a month without pay plus an immediate demotion.
The working conditions at the acme hospital were stressful. The repugnant smell from the mortuary would occasionally sweep through the hospital. Patients were crying from every corner; some even succumbed to death; something that I loathed witnessing. The issue of death and life is a reality but I do not spend a lot of time thinking of it the sight of a dying patient would sink my heart and resurrect the reality of life which I vehemently hate to think about. I was always scared and worried about my safety for at times I could handle patients with open wounds.
Job Stress (APA’s take)
The first way of reducing stress, according to APA is seeking professional counseling sessions. Secondly, an individual may decide to pray for divine peace of mind from God. Thirdly, it is advisable that one ignores the causes of stress; for example, if the boss was the cause of one’s stress, one could avoid arguing with him/her. Thirdly, one can avoid stress at the workplace by talking or spending time with their closest friends and sharing problems with them. Talking to closest friends about one’s stressing issues and seeking professional counseling are common suggestions. The most important suggestion among these at my working place is to seek professional counseling.
Stress in America
I learned that stress is a major problem for the American population and is mainly due to money and work as Knowles acknowledges (Para.1). What surprised me is that some Americans are reluctant to undergo changes in their lifestyles or behavior for the sake of avoiding their stressful conditions. My utter surprise hinges on my profound conviction that lifestyle and behavioral changes cannot be barriers to sufferers of stress. Additionally, I would say that people need to be informed about the importance of stress-free lives above other desires like lifestyle and behavioral change. Living a stress-free life underscores my philosophy; it does not matter what I miss on the way provided I live a stress-free life.
Reference
Knowles, David. “Most Americans Totally Stressed Out, Study Finds.” All News, 2010. Web.