Something like this has probably happened to you recently, maybe even today: You spilled your coffee while rushing out the door. You struggled to change a setting on your phone, only to give up in frustration. You got a bug bite, or sunburn, or stubbed your toe. You had to stand in a long line or wait in traffic. Someone spoke (or chewed gum, or slammed a door) too loudly. Someone interrupted or ignored you.
These are not the kind of events that disrupt the course of your life. But they are all annoying, and sometimes bothersome enough that they could set the tone for the rest of your day. Annoying experiences like these have also been dubbed ‘micro-stresses’ or ‘daily hassles’. They usually come your way unexpectedly, cause you some stress, and interrupt your flow. Though they are minor compared with, say, a personal attack, an injury or a significant loss, I’ve seen in my work as a psychologist how often people struggle to tolerate annoying things or underestimate their impact.
More, here.
