Breaking The Stress Bragging Cycle: How To Stop Glorifying Busyness, Part 1
Have you made any of these statements lately?
“I have so much going on. I hardly have time to breathe.”
“I’m working on just a few hours of sleep. I just have so much going on.”
“I haven’t had anything to eat all day. My schedule is just so packed.”
“I haven’t had a day off in, I don’t know when. It’s just nonstop.”
“I have so many projects I’m juggling right now. It’s just crazy how busy I am.”
If so, you might be engaging in what’s known as "stress bragging." But what exactly is stress bragging?
What is Stress Bragging?
Stress bragging the act of boasting about how busy and stressed you are, often as a way to imply productivity and importance. It’s a form of self-promotion where individuals highlight their packed schedules, tight deadlines, and endless to-do lists to showcase their hard work and dedication. However, this behavior can backfire, making you appear less competent and likable to your peers.
Why Stress Bragging is Harmful
While stress bragging might seem like a harmless way to bond with colleagues, it can actually raise your own anxiety and create a toxic work environment. Research shows that stress bragging can lead to higher levels of burnout among coworkers and make them less likely to offer help or support. It perpetuates a cycle of one-upmanship, where everyone feels the need to outdo each other in terms of stress and workload.
How to Break the Cycle of Stress Bragging
If you find yourself frequently stress bragging, here are three suggestions to help you break the habit:
Practice Mindful Conversations: Instead of launching into a saga about your stress, talk about something positive that happened in your day. Maybe it was an amazing cup of coffee, a positive interaction with a team member, or some time you took for yourself. Being mindful in conversation means being present with others and choosing words that create a positive environment, not a negative one.
Listen to Yourself: If you’re constantly talking about your stress, it probably means you’re not setting the right boundaries. You might not be saying no to certain things or making your own personal wellness a priority. Choose to do activities that make you feel more human and give you more space. This way, you’ll have something positive to talk about in conversations with others instead of stress bragging.
Focus on Solutions Instead of Problems: If you’re going to talk about your stress, also mention some of the things you are doing or exploring to reduce it. Ask the group or person you’re talking to for solutions they might have. Focusing on solutions instead of problems creates a much more positive environment for you and those around you.
The Bottom Line
Constantly talking about our stress only makes us feel worse and stresses out the people around us. By being mindful of how we express our stress and focusing on positive aspects and solutions, we can create a healthier and more supportive work environment.
Stay tuned for my next blog, Part 2, where I’ll turn the tables and share techniques you can use when someone is stress bragging to you!
