This week, we were hit with 20 inches of snow over 40 hours. They were forecasting more, yet, as usual, the press sensationalized opinions to increase ratings. Clearing a driveway was difficult as it was heavy snow. This is another day in the life of a Minnesotan.
I learned that Minnesotan is a demonym. This is the first time I have heard of that. Demonyms are used to designate all people (the general population) of a particular place, regardless of ethnic, linguistic, religious, or other cultural differences that may exist within the population of that place. Here are some samples:
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Fayettevillian
Fargo, North Dakota – Fargoan
Cary, North Carolina – Caryite
Apple Valley, MN – Valleyian
Duluth, MN - Duluthian
Nashville, Tennessee - Nashvillian
Back to life. Life can be full of stressful situations, whether work, personal, or struggling with the impacts of a global pandemic. No matter the source, a body responds in the same way. People say it will kill me. That is false; it doesn't directly result in death, but it can have serious health consequences over a length of time.
I have been trying to cope and stay on top of the stress. Of course, there are two types of stress: good stress (one I control, like a solid workout, learning a new hobby, and the like) and bad stress, which I have little control over. Both send hormonal signals around your body, causing an increase in cortisol and adrenaline. In the short term, it provides motivation, and this is okay.
However, long-term chronic stress doesn't have the same short-term motivational effects.
Cortisol gets toxic in high doses over a chronic period. Weight gain in the gut, inflammation, breathing issues, Stomach discomfort, and high blood sugar become issues.
As I have previously said, my work has become very toxic and high-stress. It has become worse over the past few months. My supervisor's boss constantly makes degrading comments to others about me and avoids me like the plague. As a result, others are starting to avoid me as they do not want to get the same treatment I and a few others get. We have had people leave without notice after the wrath put upon them. There is no middle ground. You are either the best friend or the ultimate enemy. My supervisor does what he can but acts cautiously to avoid becoming the next target.
Some say, just leave. Yet, I must get through this year to secure the potential retirement package. Otherwise, I am concerned about the retirement years. Yet this lack of leadership and toxic environment might decrease the retirement years I get. It is a balancing act! One thing that helps is writing about stress and life to help control what is essentially out of our control.
I have been getting some indoor rides using my Wahoo Kikr Core (it is not $300 less than I paid for it a few years ago) and Rouvy. Rouvy is an augmented reality program that makes the ride fun. It is so natural that I have ridden some courses and then driven them later, and it was like I had been there many times already. It is fun and will help reduce stress.
I hope all is well in your world. If I can make it to retirement, I know life will be much better if I escape the toxic environment I experience most days now!
Carry on, my friends, carry on!
