Tightly Wound

We’ve used the term describing someone who seems so tightly wound that they will either spring loose in wild motion or snap because they cannot get any tighter. Maybe it’s like “burning the candle at both ends”. There’s no release, no safety valve to unload the pressure that is building, second by second. Moment by moment.

Some would say that a person is to tense, unable to relax, even highly reactive. In other words, they are wound too tightly to enjoy the moment without a reaction of some sort.

But there are other uses for the concept of the phrase. It came to mind a little while ago. A tightrope walker wants their line to be taunt and tight. One end is anchored, the other is wound tighter and tighter until it’s just right!

Or, even an old fashioned wind-up watch (clock). You wind the spring inside as tight as needed to make sure the seconds unwind, and the minutes turn to hours and even days.

So. Tightly wound can be a good thing. It can be a bad thing. It depends on you, the moment you exist in, and what the challenge is before you.

Notice the photo for this blog. The tightly wound cable is made up of multiple strands. When one tightens…they all tighten!

Pressure and Stress

Most of us cannot handle constant pressure. It creates stress that breaks the body and mind and ruins many a relationship.

We often go home after a stressful day at work and need some time to “unwind” and “destress”. Prop the feet up. Kick back for a little bit.

Typically, the trip home gives me time to reconnect with my life away from the stresses, but drivers create their own kind of stresses that can ruin any quiet time.

Maybe that’s why there is so much “road rage”. Too many people, wound too tightly, congested driving, controlling multiple ton vehicles, wishing to go fast, but forced to go too slow.

Perhaps this is where troubles happen in relationships. Neither side is on the same page of life. One’s stressors and pressures need to be offloaded until each is in an equal place. Slammed doors. Poor word choices. Long quiet walks… Been there?

Learning to give each other space is necessary to preserve!

Maybe…

Possibly the problem is learning to handle the load of life, adjust our priorities, and find other avenues and times to unload. Maybe.

Willie Nelson and Wayland Jennings sing the song of getting back to the basics of life in Luckenbach, Texas. The pressures of high society and the rat race of the big times make them think about exiting to a simpler time.

I follow a gentleman on Instagram (Cabinlife_Alaska) that works week on and a week off in Anchorage. Tending bar, I think. But that week off is often spent at his cabin off the power grid. This makes me want to escape!

Of course, he has his own pressures, even when living in the cabin. With no power, well, or other amenities, you work hard to enjoy your life! Even the simple life.

Isn’t this true of everything we want to do? We work hard for the priorities of life we deem important. Our focus is to learn the pressures of how to achieve, just as much as we want to enjoy the downtime from our achievements.

It’s called managing your expectations.

Managing the Stress

You can search the libraries of the world, magazine racks of the stores, or pay thousands to have someone psychoanalyze your world and tell you what to do.

Or. I find this to work for me.

You can come up with your own list of things to watch out for,
and learn how to handle them
before they handle you!

Think about it. If you are going to meet the boss for something, get yourself into the right frame of mind and reference before that door shuts! If you must go to that social event and you detest the very idea, prepare yourself in advance with tools needed to survive. Even if you got out on the wrong side of the bed and the day feels shot, revamp your logic to see it in a better light.

What I’m saying is essentially this. It’s all about YOU and how YOU handle the stress of the moment!

So. Before you can identify a cure, you must know where your stress is coming from. I think it’s important to identify who is stressing you out, and really know why you are handling it so poorly.

Steps To A Cure?

If all cures begin with your attitude, then that is a big thing to get a hold of!

Webmd.com points out some general things to have in your toolbox of life that will help you handle stress. Maybe you have something to add to this, but it’s a decent starting point.

• Keep a positive attitude.
• Accept that there are events that you cannot control.
• Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
• Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga, or tai-chi for stress management.
• Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
• Learn to manage your time more effectively.
• Set limits appropriately and learn to say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life.
• Make time for hobbies, interests, and relaxation.
• Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.
• Don’t rely on alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress.
• Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you enjoy.
• Seek treatment with a psychologist or other mental health professional trained in stress management or biofeedback techniques to learn healthy ways of dealing with the stress in your life.

Here’s My Thought Today

Recognize within yourself when you are getting too tightly wound. Step back from the moment. Analyze the stressors. Put into action those steps that will help you be free from the momentary pressure.

It’s often easier to simply let go of the emotions and lash out. However, it’s wiser to be in control.

My brain never stops thinking! Throughout the night, those pesky dreams are real-to-life conversations I struggle with remembering in the daylight hours. In the middle of conversing with you my mind goes hopping down different rabbit trails looking for; a) the purpose of your story, b) what’s my response, c) SOMEBODY! GET ME OUT OF HERE!

The Apostle Paul describes bringing every thought unto the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), and this one simple idea produces a lot of questions for me. How?

Perhaps this is the dilemma for most of us. We’ve not perused our life enough to know how to handle all the stressors we face. It’s like juggling chainsaws. Any wrong move can produce extreme issues!

Jesus speaks and gives me hope. Every time I think about it. There’s an answer here for you.

I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you.
In the world, you’ll have trouble.
But cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33 GW)

When trouble is in my way, I can’t tell my night from day,
That I’m tossed from side to side, Like a ship out on a ragin’ tide
I don’t worry, I don’t fret, My God has never failed me yet,
Troubles come from time to time, but that’s alright I’m not the worryin’ kind

Because, I’ve got confidence, God is gonna see me through
No matter what the case may be, I know He’s gonna fix it for me
I’ve got confidence, God is gonna see me through
No matter what the case may be, I know He’s gonna fix it for me
~Andrae Crouch, I’ve Got Confidence