Why Mars and Venus Collide
Author John Gray, best known for his best selling book, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, published a new book in 2008 that I just got a chance to take a look at, and was happy to see that it addresses some interesting issues related to of all things - stress. Now, we all know relationships can be stressful, but Gray says that the key to improving relationships is understanding how we (both sexes) cope with stress. Citing recent research showing that men and women are struggling more and facing more stressors than ever before, Gray believes these problems can be lessened if women and men understand that they tend to react to stress very differently, and without this understanding, there will be more misunderstandings and tension in the relationship.
Gray explains that when men get home from work, the best way they release stress is to rest, relax, and forget about the day's problems. On the other hand, when women get home, we tend to anticipate and stress over what has to be done. As a result, our stress levels can rise even higher than when we are at work. Another difference is that women tend to want to talk about what's stressing them out whereas men want to forget about what's stressing them out. Obviously, these different approaches to dealing with stress are likely to lead to tension in the relationship unless both sides learn to accept and accommodate to the differences.
The book also advises women to focusing much more on making ourselves happy rather than do what women tend to do - which is making others, partner included, happy. Now there's a good idea!
All in all, it's an interesting read so I thought I would pass it along.
Gray explains that when men get home from work, the best way they release stress is to rest, relax, and forget about the day's problems. On the other hand, when women get home, we tend to anticipate and stress over what has to be done. As a result, our stress levels can rise even higher than when we are at work. Another difference is that women tend to want to talk about what's stressing them out whereas men want to forget about what's stressing them out. Obviously, these different approaches to dealing with stress are likely to lead to tension in the relationship unless both sides learn to accept and accommodate to the differences.
The book also advises women to focusing much more on making ourselves happy rather than do what women tend to do - which is making others, partner included, happy. Now there's a good idea!
All in all, it's an interesting read so I thought I would pass it along.
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