We can all feel stressed at times about various things, from a particular event or an ongoing issue.
How we deal with stress has been the subject of multiple studies but one of the latest studies explores something the researchers call “stress internalization.”
It’s a term that psychologists use to describe people who are stressed but instead of sharing what’s bothering them or asking for help, they tend to keep it all in.
They say that while staying strong when dealing with a stressful situation is often intended as praise, it can also create pressure to downplay struggles, avoid asking for help, and “keep face” by appearing strong even in those difficult situations.
And this study suggests that for some people it means carrying emotional burdens alone, which may take a toll on both mental and physical health and in this study even lead to some cognitive decline over time.
In other words, while we may feel pressure to stay strong when things hit the fan, as human beings created for relationships with others, we need to be smart about leaning on others who can help us.
(Photo Getty Images)