Most people think of stress as a bad thing, and it can be if you let it take over your life and prevent you from getting things done. However, stress can also be your motivation to meet your goals. Think about how good it feels to mark those dreaded tasks off your to-do list. Accomplishing even the smallest tasks throughout the day can help you stay motivated to keep going. When you begin to feel stressed, use those negative feelings in a positive way by overcoming the cause of your stress.
Don’t confuse stress with anxiety
People often confuse stress and anxiety. Both are responses the body and mind can have when facing difficult situations. Everyone faces stress, but not everyone has anxiety. If you have anxiety, you may need outside help to manage it. But with stress, you can find ways to use your body’s stress responses to get things done. Convert that negative reaction into a positive by using it to motivate yourself to accomplish your goals.
Use your stress to be more productive
Stress can leave you feeling sweaty, increase your heart rate, and make you feel queasy. These are all normal responses to stressful situations. You can’t control how your body reacts to stress, but you can control what you do with that reaction. Think of your stress as anticipation in completing a task or project that will be fulfilling once it’s done.
Face your stress head-on
When preparing for a stressful situation, or just feeling overwhelmed because of everyday life, find a positive way to use that negative energy. Simple things like a quick walk outside or a quiet moment alone to decompress can immediately lessen your body’s response to stressful situations. When preparing to tackle a stressful project or event, think of the worst thing that could happen and focus on what you can do to prevent that worst-case scenario.
Everyone faces stressful situations, but not everyone deals with stress in a productive way. It’s helpful to know some calming tactics that can provide relief when you’re facing difficulties. However, you can’t always prevent your body’s response to stress. Instead, use that response to your advantage to motivate yourself to complete those dreaded tasks or projects.
