Turning Stress from Adversary to Ally
In this month’s post, we’ll cover:
1. Rethink Your Relationship with Stress
2. Embrace Stress as a Catalyst for Growth
3. Prioritize Self-Care and Stress Management
4. Cultivate Social Support Networks
5. Practice Gratitude and Positive Affirmations
Do you ever find yourself lying awake at night, unable to calm your mind amid life’s pressures?
If you answered yes, you're not alone.
When I ask audiences that question, the unanimous response is a sea of raised hands. People are all too familiar with the weight of societal issues, work demands, and personal challenges that can feel overwhelming.
It's during these heavy moments that we feel the weight of the world pressing down on our chest, making it difficult to breathe freely. The stress response triggered by everyday burdens can lead to a cascade of negative emotions, from anxiety to burnout and even depression.
This typical progression is a sobering reality for many individuals.
According to a study by Keller et al. (2012), the amount of stress and the perception that stress affects health interact in such a way that those who reported a lot of stress and believed it impacted their health have a 43% increased risk of premature death.
That might sound grim, but don’t worry there's hope.
By proactively managing stress and building resilience, you can mitigate its harmful effects and reclaim your mental and emotional well-being.
Here are some strategies to help you cope and thrive in the face of adversity:
1. Rethink Your Relationship with Stress
Viewing stress as inherently harmful can exacerbate its negative impact on our health. Embracing stress as a natural and healthy response to life's challenges can reduce its physiological effects and enhance our overall resilience. The stress response is a natural bodily function that primes you to perform under pressure.
2. Embrace Stress as a Catalyst for Growth
Shift your perspective on stress by recognizing its potential as a catalyst for growth and performance. By reframing stress as a helpful ally rather than a formidable foe, you can leverage its energy to fuel positive action.
3. Prioritize Self-Care and Stress Management
Invest in self-care practices that nurture your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Remember, self-care is not a luxury but a necessity for building resilience in facing life's challenges.
4. Cultivate Social Support Networks
Lean on your social support networks during times of stress, as they can serve as a powerful buffer against its adverse effects. Embrace the "love drug" of oxytocin by nurturing authentic connections that uplift and support you.
5. Practice Gratitude and Positive Affirmations
I hope by now you’re not surprised to read about gratitude in my posts. Its power is transformative because you can’t feel stressed and grateful at the same time. We can all harness the power of gratitude to counteract stress and cultivate a positive mindset. Incorporating daily gratitude into your routine overrides stress hormones and helps you frame setbacks in the grand scheme of things.
So, how does it all work together?
By reframing our relationship with stress and adopting proactive coping strategies, we can navigate life's challenges with heightened resilience to stress. Remember, you have the power to transform stress from a debilitating force into a catalyst for growth and fulfillment. Embrace your resilience, knowing that you are capable of overcoming any obstacle.
Supporting Resources:
Keller, A., Litzelman, K., Wisk, L. E., Maddox, T., Cheng, E. R., Creswell, P. D., & Witt, W. P. (2012). Does the perception that stress affects health matter? The association with health and mortality. Health psychology: official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association, 31(5), 677–684. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026743
Use gratitude to counter stress and uncertainty. Harvard Business Review | https://hbr.org/2020/10/use-gratitude-to-counter-stress-and-uncertainty
Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend | https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend?language=en
Share this message with those who need a reminder that greatness lies within their grasp. Let's embrace the challenges, learn from our missteps, and forge ahead toward a future filled with limitless possibilities.
If this resonates, don’t hesitate to reach out or book a call with me!
And grab a copy of Never Part of The Plan if you haven’t already. :)
Gratefully,
Mike Shaw
