When I first came across the word “microstress,” I was intrigued. We all know what stress is and have heard it described in a million different ways, but microstress? I needed to learn more. Here’s a quick breakdown for you with a few takeaways in the hopes that it raises your awareness of something that affects us all.
But first, a definition. Karen Dillon, author of The Microstress Effect, states that microstresses are tiny moments of stress that are caused by routine interactions with other people that are so routine you barely notice them. A good metaphor is a teacup to which you keep adding a little more liquid. You add a little more, a little more, and it’s holding on at the top — until you add one extra drop, and it spills over. That’s the effect of microstress.
I’m sure you are already picturing where your microstresses are coming from. Think death by a thousand cuts. I picture it as stress by a thousand small, irritating things that build and could potentially blow up. Seems right on in our world today with all that we are holding, balancing, and juggling.