How to Tame Your Stress When You Are Ready to Lose Your Mind

Stress is not the enemy. Some stress is actually the signature of a life worth living. The problem is the kind of stress you are carrying right now, and whether it is serving you or draining you.

1. Find Your Stress Sweet Spot

Not all stress is bad. At a low level, zero to three on a scale of ten, you are too relaxed to perform. At the sweet spot, four to six, you have enough pressure that it is producing results. At seven and above, you are in a stress reaction.

Most high-achieving women are operating at a seven or above the majority of the time and calling it normal. It is not normal. It is a sustained stress reaction masquerading as productivity.

Where are you living on this scale?

A diamond is nothing but a piece of coal that handled pressure really well.

2. Cope on Purpose

You are already coping. The question is whether your coping strategies are empowering you or just numbing you.

Drinking a little more than you should. Shopping when you are stressed. Creating drama to feel something. These are low-grade coping mechanisms that meet a need in the moment and create a bigger problem over time.

Identify three deliberate, empowering coping strategies and use at least one of them every day. Physical movement. Something quiet. Something creative.

3. Eliminate the Stress You Are Creating

Some of the stress you are carrying right now is optional. It exists because you have not handled your business.

The financial situation you have been avoiding. The relationship conversation you keep putting off. The health issue you have been managing around.

Every toleration is a stress you have chosen to carry. Handle one this week. Not all of them. One. Notice how much space opens up when you do.

Cope on purpose.