They say, only dead people have no stress. Some degree of stress that comes with doing anything worthwhile is actually a friend that pushes you to be alert, do your best and deliver.
Stress only becomes chronic when it is continuous and unmanaged.
Our job as aspirers is not to avoid stress or take decisions based on anticipated stress – that’s lazy thinking.
Our job is to leverage stress, channel that energy and do the work that matters.
The key to that is ability to manage stress regularly.
How do we do that?
- Sleep is #1 antidote to stress. A good night’s sleep provides us energy and fresh perspectives.
- Reframe stress as a friend and not a foe.
- Take micro-breaks – go for a walk, talk to someone, listen to a song, have a coffee, gaze at distant trees for 30 seconds. You get the point.
- Write down your thoughts, plans and tasks. Keeping it all in the head leads to stress.
- Be physically active and eat healthy. A fit body enables you to confront stress more effectively.
- Talk to others. Having people around you who can help you wade through choppy waters is vital.
- Set healthy boundaries. Say no to things, thoughts or people who wear you down.
- Act. Do the thing. Thinking too much creates anticipatory stress. Confront what is in front of you. Take action.
- Stay focused on the outcome you wish to achieve. Seeing big picture helps you put things in perspective.
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” – William James
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