Stress in medieval times

[Mad Swede]

We often think that stress and stress related illnesses are somehow unique to modern times, but there is research which suggests that stress and its treatment were recognised several hundred years ago:

BBC: What the Middle Ages can teach us about preventing burnout

So how many of us think to bring stress and its impact on people into our stories? I know I try to do so, but what about the rest of you?

 

[pmmg]

I think all my characters are stressed. They may not call it that, and may not seek relief, as may happen in our current century. It just keeps going on and on, until something happens, and then there is more stress Kind in the way, stress never ends for those in the Aliens movie.

If the Middle Ages had means of coping, I am not sure my characters know it.

 

[RoccO]

Stress, is a complicated mess. I have done a lot of stress related exercises and it can help. The stress will not go away, but it returns to you in a neat little package, you can deal with it.

I sometimes call it job satisfaction. If you are stressed, then there is usually something you have to do, and do it with a grin.

As for the sword or broad axe, I do not know which direction to take. It is better to use a whetstone than purchase a new blade, but that is beside the point. I think I will take the short and narrow, rather than the wide and winding.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Most of my characters have varying levels of stress and they deal with it in various ways. Not all my 'Teen' Characters play video games to escape stress, but some do.

I don't think stress should be a major issue for the main party, but it could be an underlying cause for side / B plots for the protagonists.

One of my main party is still nursing a grudge of betrayal from almost 200 years ago. And the woman responsible for said grudge is still just as mad (as in insane) if not worse, and at large to this day. And yes, it causes him stress. It's a reason he sleeps with a dagger in his night stand. He keeps his cards close to his chest, but he opens up to those who earn his trust.

 

[skip.knox]

I don't have anything that addresses stress directly, but the term itself feels awfully broad, or at least that there are several faces to it. One is worry--the sort of deep-seated worry that comes with feeling powerless to affect the course of negative events. Another is frustration--that article gives some decent examples. Another is tension (best word I can come up with)--the stress of an intense moment, often used in horror or action. All those could be called stressful but to me they do not feel the same. Close cousins, at most.

But the article did help me sharpen my thinking on this point. I can see room for me to be a little more explicit at particular moments. I can see how worry is less tied to a specific moment while tension is, so the one could feed into the other. And that could be useful in the narrative.

Anyway, I'm always glad to find medieval precedents!