No. 56: Pressure and Stress
August 3rd 2010 21:58
Many people seem to think that if it is a law of physics, then it is only a law of matter – solids, liquids or gases. This is natural, but when one looks deeper, it become readily apparent that many laws of physics overlap into other areas of our lives.
Anyone who has taken high school or college physics recognizes the formula F=MA. Force is the same as taking the mass and multiplying it by the acceleration of that mass through space and time. When either, or both, the volume of the mass increase(s), or the rate of acceleration goes up, we increase the force.
Take automobiles, for example: The larger the vehicle the greater the impact. The faster it is going, the greater the impact. In order to deal with these forces, NASCAR builds safer race cars by constructing specifically-designed metal cages for the drivers that absorb the force in stages, as they release the energy of the force. The same is true for the safer track barrier walls that have been built in recent years.
As a lake rises behind a dam, the mass of the water creates more force on the structure. The same is true if the water is traveling at an increased speed down a canyon toward a dam or any structure.
Another example could be steam. The more water is placed inside an area (the mass) and the greater we heat it (acceleration or increased agitation of its molecules), the greater the pressure. We control this first of all, with the materials and construction of the containers (boilers and pressure cookers), and secondly, by regulating the amount of heat provided for agitating the molecules.
Most know this already, so what’s the point? Okay, let us take a look at things that are not-matter. Our minds – Without even going through the actual experiences perceived, we get stressed and feel the pressures simply by imagining things. Getting an IRS audit letter, or court summons, will elevate the stress and raise the pressures on us almost every time! Usually, our minds begin racing ahead pondering the possible bad things that can happen to us. Usually, this is out of proportion to the reality.
Women feel pressure by stressing over the right dress, make-up and hairdo for a party, the high school prom or something someone said that they feel has hurt them and needs justice. Men may feel pressure from other sources and triggers, but both men and women stress over academics, work-related issues, health, crime, children, and the overall direction of their lives.
These are our internal pressures. Now, what about the external ones like finding out your health or a loved one’s health is on a downslide? Or perhaps a death has occurred? Maybe it is a job loss, a demotion at work or a myriad of other things that elevated the stress pressure. Actual events in our lives such as a storm or earthquake will do the same negative things. But, after a tragedy has actually taken place, we “worry” (mental pressure) about what will come to us in the future. The more bad things that happen and the shorter intervals between them usually raises the force just as the mass and acceleration do for the automobile, the water or the steam, etc.
It does not have to be a negative imagination or event to raise the stress and pressure. Positive anticipations and happenings do too. Pondering a cruise, a trip to the beach or mountains excites us also. Entering a new love relationship, winning the lottery and other positives can excite us and be read as stress by our subconscious minds. Emotions can raise pressures inside us similar to the way molecules in the steam get agitated or excited. When we get stressed or pressured, the “fight or flight” response is triggered. By now, you know what this can do to our health when triggered in excess. Excess in this case can be too much (volume) to quickly (speed or acceleration) in which our minds perceive it.
People use emotions for control. We all do it. By raising the pitch or volume of our voices in a conversation we are adding force. By choosing words that heighten emotions, we are adding force. By changing the speed at which we deliver words, we can add force. It is not just the creative politician, salesman or carnival barker, but we all use force to help control one another, or the outcomes we seek.
Authoritative figures such as judges, rabbis, ministers, politicians, police officers and soldiers all have to use force on occasion. It may be as subtle as in the way the words are arranged and spoken, or it may be in more recognizable forms like incarceration, a pulpit admonition, or a ticket, but force is the operative word nevertheless.
Recognizing that we may be forced into changing our minds or behaviors by others is a key to understanding that life is not always about us and our particular wants individually, but life is about knowing the laws of physics and recognizing them when we interact with others and our environment, no matter the source.
Please keep it between the lines.
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