The effects of long term stress on everyday functionality

[Jackalope]

Stress kills, dude. It will take years off your life if it's not dealt with in a healthy manner, and perhaps even then.

[PETE_ROSE]

I'm retired.  What is this stress of which you speak?

It's sort of the feeling you get after the children/grandchildren have been at your house for an extended visit. Have driven your tractor through the barbed wired fence at a high rate of speed. Wrecking 100 feet of fence and your tractor. Fished out your pond. Hunted the wildlife to near extinction. Consumed your hoard of Twinkies, Doritos and root beer that was earmarked for the zombie apocalypse. Shot all of your ammunition. What is hot water for your shower?

Retirement is grand. So they tell me.

[Alex K]

I'm retired.  What is this stress of which you speak?

It's sort of the feeling you get after the children/grandchildren have been at your house for an extended visit. Have driven your tractor through the barbed wired fence at a high rate of speed. Wrecking 100 feet of fence and your tractor. Fished out your pond. Hunted the wildlife to near extinction. Consumed your hoard of Twinkies, Doritos and root beer that was earmarked for the zombie apocalypse. Shot all of your ammunition. What is hot water for your shower?

Retirement is grand. So they tell me.

I didn't know you were the head of a locust swarm!

[Whateverist]

What do other people in your position where you work do around time off? Does no one there ever take vacation? If they do take vacation, do you see their hours or opportunity diminished as a result? In short - is it possible that your apprehension regarding taking time off is not justified?

[PETE_ROSE]

I didn't know you were the head of a locust swarm!
[/quote]


Ha! What a great analogy! I do command my own small private army. Not as old as Min; I didn't vote for Johnson or use an abacus in school.

[Minimalist]

I'm retired.  What is this stress of which you speak?

It's sort of the feeling you get after the children/grandchildren have been at your house for an extended visit.  Have driven your tractor through the barbed wired fence at a high rate of speed.  Wrecking 100 feet of fence and your tractor.  Fished out your pond.  Hunted the wildlife to near extinction.  Consumed your  hoard of Twinkies, Doritos and root beer that was earmarked for the zombie apocalypse. Shot all of your ammunition.  What is hot water for your shower?  

Retirement is grand.  So they tell me.

Grandkids sound horrible.  Glad I don't have any.

[Seraphina]

I've been noticing more and more of lately that I've been making mistakes in everyday things, such as written grammar and speech. My last vacation from work was in 2008, so I'm thinking the stress of that is starting to built up and it's hitting a bursting point. Since where I work it's not safe to ask for any of your PTO hours. How can I solve this issue without risking asking for some time off?

You don't use any PTO hours at all? What about a few days at a time here and there? That's what I mostly do. I get 6 weeks a year but taking more than a few days off at a time usually means a huge mountain of work when I return.

Is it possible that your perception that it's not safe to ask for any PTO is flawed? It might be if your coworkers use it with no repercussions.

[PETE_ROSE]

It's never too late to start! I haven't found dogs to be much cheaper. But they do respond to behavioral modification by shock collar faster than children.

[KUSA]

I would quit any job that didn't offer and honor vacation time. That's nuts.

[J a c k]

The effects of stress can be very significant. I began a very stressful situation back in 2015. By October 29, 2015, I was hospitalized, because I couldn't feel my legs and my body was getting weak. After running lots of tests, a physiatrist said that what I had was stress and depression. My body wasn't having it anymore. Eventually I had to get back up and running, because I have bills to pay. Didn't listen and didn't give myself time to get better. During the last few months I have found myself not knowing how I got to a certain part of my day. I'm talking... sitting at my desk and not knowing how I got there, what day it is, or why there's a person sitting across from me (clients). My manager has urged me to go home, but I'm hard headed and addicted to work. I finally realized how bad it was when just last month I got home on a Friday evening, went to bed, and didn't get up until Monday morning to go to work. My new doctor convinced me I do need to stop being an idiot and actually take the help. I'll be granted time off due to a "serious health condition" thanks to my determined doctor. It's been two fucking years of ignoring my symptoms. Dude. A decade? How the fuck are you standing? Take a break! Take care of yourself. Stress is no joke. It's a serious thing.