Once upon a time a psychology professor walked around on a stage while teaching stress management principles to an auditorium filled with students. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they\u2019d be asked the typical \u201cglass half empty or glass half full\u201d question. Instead, with a smile on her face, the professor asked, \u201cHow heavy is this glass of water I\u2019m holding?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students shouted out answers ranging from eight ounces to a couple pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She replied, \u201cFrom my perspective, the absolute weight of this glass doesn\u2019t matter. It all depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute or two, it\u2019s fairly light. If I hold it for an hour straight, its weight might make my arm ache a little. If I hold it for a day straight, my arm will likely cramp up and feel completely numb and paralyzed, forcing me to drop the glass to the floor. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn\u2019t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it feels to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the class shook their heads in agreement, she continued, \u201cYour stresses and worries in life are very much like this glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and you begin to ache a little. Think about them all day long, and you will feel completely numb and paralyzed \u2013 incapable of doing anything else until you drop them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The moral:<\/strong> It\u2019s important to remember to let go of your stresses and worries. No matter what happens during the day, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don\u2019t carry them through the night and into the next day with you. If you still feel the weight of yesterday\u2019s stress, it\u2019s a strong sign that it\u2019s time to put the glass down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n