Negative and positive worry

Whether it is the stress that is taken by schoolchildren or workplace challenges, we have to find an optimal level where there is just the right amount of pressure. There is a balance that has to be achieved for stress levels (which comes from external factors) and anxiety (which is usually through our internal thought mechanisms).

Stress to some extent is beneficial as it releases hormones like cortisol in the brain, increasing your performance in the short term while enhancing brain functions.

• If we are occasionally stressed out or worry prior to a big presentation, we are well within the healthy levels of anxiety and it can be our motivation as well.
• If we are unable to sleep at night, have constant health issues or are unable to eat, then we are in the unhealthy stress/anxiety territory and need to take corrective action.

Personal values can be ethical, moral, ideological, social, or even aesthetic. Values are mostly transmitted through parenting, but our cultural environment also plays a role.

For instance, American parents tend to value intellectual knowledge; Swedish parents value security and happiness; and Dutch parents value independence and the ability to stick to a schedule.

There are four different personal value orientations based on our "terminal values " - our desirable states of existence, and "instrumental values" - the means by which we achieve our end goals.

1. Personal-competence. "I value wisdom (terminal), which I believe can be achieved through independent thinking (instrumental)."
2. Personal-moral: "I valued true friendship (terminal), which I believe can be achieved through honesty (instrumental)."
3. Social-competence: "I valued equality (terminal), which I think can be achieved through ambitious work (instrumental)."
4. Social-moral: "I value national security (terminal), which I believe can be achieved through obedience (instrumental)."

• Excessive dancing, meditation, and mind-altering plants were used in ancient civilizations to modulate the activity of the mind.
• In 1892, the term "altered states of consciousness" was used to refer to hypnosis.
• William James introduced the scientific investigation of mystical experiences and drug-induced states into the field of psychology.

• Pharmacological. These altered states include short-term changes caused by psychoactive substances, such as LSD MDMA, cannabis, cocaine, opioids, and alcohol.
• Psychological. Hypnosis, meditation, and music can lead to altered mental states.
• Physical and physiological. An altered state of consciousness is achieved through sleep, where dreams dissociate one from reality.
• Pathological. A traumatic experience causing brain damage can lead to an altered state of consciousness. Other sources include epileptic or psychotic episodes.
• Spontaneous. Daydreaming and mind wandering can cause altered states.