As the spring sunlight streams through your windows on a warm Saturday morning, you look ahead to all the to-do's you have on tap for the weekend...and your hopeful mood quickly clouds over with a feeling of being overwhelmed. The downside of this feeling of stress is that it can give us tunnel vision, increasing self-doubt and thwarting problem-solving. But there's also a little-known upside of this stress, called eustress ("good" stress) that's proven to boost joy, foster self-confidence and spur us to succeed.
"Research shows anxiety or stress can increase our energy levels and motivate us," confirms psychologist Alicia H. Clark, Psy.D., author of Hack Your Anxiety. "The original definition of stress is 'a demand for an organism to change,' and eustress is a demand for positive change-just knowing this helps take the pressure off our shoulders and gives us more control over our stress." She adds that simply using more empowering language to describe stress-such as "exciting" instead of "scary," or "challenge" rather than "obstacle"-changes our brain's neural pathways, helping us feel more energized and confident.
Long story short: Although we tend to demonize stress, if harnessed correctly, it can inspire us to achieve more than we ever dreamed possible. Read on for simple, proven ways to transform common stressors into empowering opportunities for personal growth, greater happiness and far-reaching hope for the future.
OVERWHELMED?
REFRAME TASKS THIS WAY
Your email inbox reads like a laundry list of tasks, and your energy ebbs with every new demand on your time.
この記事は First for Women の May 01, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は First for Women の May 01, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
JESSICA SEINFELD'S NEW Cookbook
Satisfy your sweet tooth the healthy way with this collection of delicious dessert recipes that are sure to delight
SWEET TREATS
Deliciously easy indulgences, guaranteed to please
8 BOOKS WE'RE LOVING NOW
BOOK REVIEW
HELP FOR HOLIDAY HEALTH BOTHERS
Outsmart'tis-the-season symptoms with these easy tips
PRO TRICKS FOR Holiday Nails That Shine
3 DIY tips to help your manicure last all season
SIMPLE PET SOLUTIONS
Some aquarium critters like betta fish can benefit from a bit of enrichment to help them thrive.
FA-LA-LA-LA...LOOK AT THESE Holiday Savings!
Santa would be the first to say that making holiday memories shouldn't break the bank. We asked pros to reveal simple ways to save on holiday expenses—and they delivered!
SIMPLE LIFE SOLUTIONS
162% BOOST IN SUBJECTS' MOOD AFTER TAKING A 12-MINUTE WALK
6 POWER POSES TO BOOST CONFIDENCE
Top experts share how your body language can help you foster connections, lift your spirits, pinpoint deception-and much more!
FAITH, LAUGHTER & Believing In Love
with country music superstar, actress and icon REBA MCENTIRE