A Lifestyle Series: Stress

The chances are that you’re decently stressed about a few things…

Apparently, and I’ll be honest with you, not shockingly, the top reasons for stress in Americans from 2024-2025 reports are:

I know what you’re thinking… this guy is about to dig in on “all the stuff I can do to not feel stressed anymore.” Well, you’d only be partially right, and no, I’m not going to list out a bunch of destressors.

Because quite frankly, I’m confident that you know a physical activity routine, challenging mental and physical stimulus, prolonged time away from screens, social interactions with loved ones, partaking in a hobby, and so on will all help in alleviating stress. You also don’t need me to tell you that having a normal sleep schedule, eating nutritious food, and reading or writing are great for any type of stressful build-up relief.

Alright, that’s enough of my super subtle way of listing out a few focus areas to manage stress.

My actual focus for this article isn’t necessarily to give you ways to eliminate or decrease stress. Though, if anything I talk about does help you, that’s great! But my primary goal is to help you understand stress a little better. Then I’m hoping you can use a couple tools I’ll give you at the end to manage your stress. Because let’s be honest here… there will always be stress. I’m pretty sure besides death and taxes, stress is another promise of living.
That’s just how the cornbread crumbles.

There are three primary kinds of stress. They all play their part in working with or against us.

Acute stress: Acute stress is short-term stress that comes and goes quickly. It can be positive or negative. Coming from an exciting moment like going down a water slide or arguing with a loved one. This type of stress is common and needed.

Episodic acute stress: Episodic acute stress is when you experience acute stress on a regular basis. The in and out of the acute stress day after day never gives your system time to relax. Episodic stress typically affects people in professions, like healthcare providers.

Chronic stress: Chronic stress is long-term stress that goes on for weeks or months. This is the type of stress that comes from many of those issues I listed at the beginning of the article. Work, financial, health, and more commonly cause this type of stress.

I would like to point out that stress can be a tool. It’s not a negative word, feeling, or response. It guides us in the same way fear, anxiety, and curiosity do. It teaches us not to do something again, gives us the friction to grow after-the-fact, and even develop a stronger mindset. It’s also letting us know when a situation is weighing on us or something is off.

Avoiding stress isn’t the goal. We want stress. We have these emotions and feelings for a reason. However, it’s also not an excuse. You still have to do things that stress you out. To be honest, it’s the only real way to hinder the effects going forward.

With all that, here are two points that will not only manage your stress better, but understand it as well.
Facing your stress and realizing that some things are out of your control.

Facing your stress. What’s that even look like? Exactly how it sounds. I’m going to use the financial example. This is more personal for me, as I am currently working on paying some debt off and it’s honestly a big stressor for me. And in no way am I perfect. Though I do know from experience, academics, and advice from much smarter people than me… focusing on how you will repay debt, budget your lifestyle, and be diligent to not live above your means (don’t spend or barrow more than you make).
Obviously this sounds, well… obvious.
Although it’s easy to not face the finance stress and push it to your limit. This way you can just stress about it “later”, becoming chronic.

Don’t let it sit. Do something about it.
But let me make this very clear. YOU HAVE TO FIND AN OUTLET. That can be a hobby, talking it out with someone regularly, or even as simple as getting outside more and reading.

Last point and we’ll wrap this baby up.

Realizing that some things are out of your control. Yep. It’s unfortunate, I know. If you keep dwelling on something that in no way can you do anything about in that instant or at all, there is no reason to work yourself up. Find an outlet or two (one you can do at home anytime and then something you can go do), and utilize them to calm your mind.
For example, you have a speech or presentation to give in a month. It’s okay to have a bit of acute stress to push you a bit to research and create a great presentation. However, over obsessing and/or worrying about it up until the day it’s scheduled will not a) make it go away, or b) get the work done.
As long as you study, research, and develop it… along with maybe practicing it a few times, you’ll be okay. And if for some reason you tank it, you’ll still be okay.

Moral of my article: Let stress motivate you, do not let control you. You get to dictate your own life.

Before I finish up, I want to clarify that it’s not as easy as I’m making it sound. Stress can be a tough one. Life isn’t fair and it never will be. But it’s important to remember to take care of yourself. You matter, your situation matters, and it’ll get better… but you have to be willing to work at it a little. Face the stress you have. One issue at a time. The friction will be high, and there will always be a bit of push back… but I’m telling you, once you have a plan, and you start implementing it, the sky seems to get a little bluer.

You got this!

Breath, think, breath, act, breath, repeat.

Or reach out here with any questions:
[email protected]