Turning Stress Into Success
Something I think we all agree on is that stress, in whichever form it comes in, can knock us down like a ton of bricks.
We can get locked into an endless stress cycle that prevents us from handling it in the right way. Most of the time, we deal with stress with unhealthy actions that keep us in that ugly place.
Here's how I handle stress...
I have learned to divide stress into two different types dictating how I deal with it.
The first kind of stress (Let’s call is Stress A), the one we probably feel a majority of the time, is driven by anxiety, and caused by worry, challenges, and unforeseen circumstances. This can feel like an endless downward spiral into unhealthy habits like “stress eating” or escapism with alcohol or drugs.
Stress A is more challenging to overcome because it can feel never-ending.
The second kind of stress (Stress B) is driven by excitement.
This kind of stress usually has a pre-determined time limit because there’s some goal that gets accomplished. As an example--- a house remodel. There’s a lot of stress associated with that kind of project; however, you push through the stress because you know the result will be exactly what you wanted.
Stress B is easier to have the “push through it” mentality because there is a visible and tangable end to it.
With either A or B stress, you don't have to resort to self sabotage to get past it. I have learned that if you can identify which kind of stress you are actually experiencing, you will be able to take appropriate action to overcome it.
👉 Here are a couple of ways to help reduce stress ultimately reducing unhealthy habits:
Next time you feel Stress A:
Instead of giving into the urge to stress eat or whatever: ask yourself if you’ve moved your body yet that day.
Just go for a walk. (or if you have a lot of pent up stress and anxiety, doing a harder more intense workout can help you get it out of your system.)
Do a mindful meditation or a stretch meditation (restorative yoga) that brings you to the present moment and grounds you. This can help stop the wheels/ thoughts from spinning, and give your mind some space. (I love the app Headspace!)
Next time you feel Stress B, where and you are both stressed and excited, and you are pouring yourself into a job or a project, practice self-care. Amidst the excitement of pursuing your goals, don't forget to take care of yourself.
Prioritize nutrition to ensure you have the energy to stay on track.
Take mindful breaks
Get adequate rest so you can rejuvenate and refill your creative juices.
Celebrate Progress. Recognize and celebrate your achievements along the way. Acknowledging your progress will fuel your motivation and enthusiasm to keep going.
By simply defining what kind of stress you are feeling in a given moment, you can then determine the course of action you are going to take to reduce it. And that's how you can turn stress into success.
Let's face it. Stress is a natural part of life, but it doesn't have to consume us.
It comes and goes.
But remember, by understanding the different stress types and implementing these strategies, you can take control of your stress and lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.
So how are handling stress?
Identify it. Take action. Have success!
Wishing you a stress-free week ahead!
CATCH THE HEALTH SPOT! Click HERE to get the link for our conversation on stress!
