We live in a state of stress and are accustomed to consider it extremely harmful. Partly it is. But can stress be turned into a useful resource? Philosopher and psychologist Judith Tutin believes that stress is not even bad, and talks about the potential hidden in it.
Prolonged stress is harmful. It is the cause of health problems, burnout, dissatisfaction with life, depression, aggression, conflicts with partners and much more. But can you save yourself? The “avoid stress” option is completely inappropriate for many. Psychologist, philosopher, and life coach Judith Tutin invites us to learn how to use stress for our own good.
Let stress work for us!
“Most people try to get rid of stress or avoid problems,” writes Tutin.
Therefore, we usually respond to stress with denial “I’m fine!”, Anger “Why me!?” or depression “I can’t handle this!” But, oddly enough, stress actually increases awareness, speeds up thinking, increases efficiency and gives many people reason to say: “I feel great in a crisis situation.” So you can make it work for you.
Anxiety clients tell the expert that their anxiety helps them anticipate problems and prepare possible solutions. “Studies have shown that adults who have had a difficult childhood are very strong and resilient to difficulties and often value the gifts that life gives them much more,” Tutin said.
For many years, we have been taught that stress is bad, and a healthy lifestyle involves the absence of stress. But everything is not so, writes the psychologist. A new study confirms that a “stress is good” mindset is more beneficial.
Judith Tutin offers three ways to manage and benefit from stress.
Three ways to deal with stress
1. Understand your stress
Understanding exactly how we experience stress is the first step to properly managing this condition. The psychologist suggests asking yourself three questions:
- What does your response to stress look like? Perhaps it’s nausea, a stomach ache, a severe headache, or a desire to go to bed and cover your head with a blanket, hiding from everyone and everything?
- Once you identify your stress response, do you ignore it or not? Notice the symptoms each time and acknowledge that something is bothering you.
- What exactly are you worried about? What is the stress response?
Now we can move on.
2. Use your stress
When we understand what is happening to us and why, and have learned to listen to our condition, we need to decide what to do. It’s time to treat stress as something good and behave accordingly.
“Use it instead of waiting for it to leave or pretending it’s not there,” Tutin recalls.
She suggests thinking:
- How to take advantage of the situation?
- What do you need to do for this?
- Is there something we need to learn or someone whose help we need right now?
Perhaps you have taken on too much by giving up life balance. Maybe you’ve been so busy caring for others that you forgot about yourself. Or it’s time to look for a new job. And problems in a relationship with a partner can be used to improve these relationships – in any case, stress indicates where to move on.
3. Accept the Truth: What Doesn’t Kill Us Makes Us Stronger
We all experience stress differently. Some do yoga, running, meditation. Someone drinks, hangs out or sleeps all day. These positive and negative strategies help us … avoid stress, ignore the messages it sends, says the psychologist.
Meanwhile, stress is an important signal that we need to consider. Let’s greet him and try to understand what he is telling us.
“Thank him for the opportunity. Welcome the changes, because they are necessary to make life better. Turn to inner strength, writes Judith Tutin. “Then stress will help you succeed in your work and relationships, become stronger and more confident.”
About the author: Judith Tutin is a philosopher, psychologist, and life coach.