Let’s be honest — stress is inevitable in life, and perhaps even more prevalent during recent months. But let’s also not forget that stress presents a unique opportunity to learn and grow. That’s why the SBP team got together to discuss how we’re able to turn stress into an asset — at work, at home, you name it. So let’s harness this pressure in a positive way and work to achieve stellar productivity, because — believe it or not, folks — the power is in our hands.
Your choice: dwell or use it to your advantage.
The first step in overcoming stress is confronting it. Are you going to dwell, or are you going to use it to your advantage? The choice is yours. Instead of letting it incapacitate you, let it enhance you. By reframing your perception of stress, you’re able to see it in a positive light and consequently reap the rewards of increased motivation and creativity. And remember, stress wasn’t designed to kill us — it’s a critical survival tactic. Use it like one.
Hone in on what you can control.
There’s no doubt that some of our greatest stressors come from the unknowns in life. In order to reshape your idea of stress, it’s crucial to let go of what you can’t control. As Stephen Hawking once said, “Perfection simply doesn’t exist,” so go ahead and free yourself of those unrealistic expectations. One liberating way to do this is by writing a list of stressors and circling the ones you can’t directly change. By putting these thoughts on paper, you might just find that you’re one step closer to reaching your goals.
Embrace the struggle.
We’ll be the first to say it — nothing hugely important comes easy in life. Think about it in the context of a marathon. You can’t expect to run 26.2 miles without training and confronting a few obstacles along the way. So instead of viewing stress as detrimental, rewire your brain to embrace it. Research actually shows that people who have more meaningful lives also have more stressful lives. Once we’re able to embrace the symptoms of stress, we’re able to make them work to our advantage.
And when all else fails? Refresh with a good ol’ nap. How are you coping with stress these days? Send us an email at [email protected] and let’s share our two cents on making it our biggest asset.
