How Successful People Cope with Stress

With Stress, Pressures and Public Exposures

Stress is primarily a physical response to mood changes. During stress, the body thinks it is under attack and switches to fight or flight mode. This mode begins to release a complex mix of hormones and chemicals such as adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine to prepare the body for physical activity. These reactions are caused from blood being diverted to muscles that shut down with unnecessary bodily functions such as digestion. When the body is going through stress, it reacts in three ways which are: fight, flight and freeze.

Fight mode makes one feel agitated and aggressive towards others. This can be due to our bodies’ natural reaction to stress. Defenses are usually high. This can be a favorable reaction to ward off predators. In conjunction with fight, some human minds use flight mode. This mode makes one escape from the situation instead of tackling it. This is a function that can save our lives if in dangerous surroundings. The third mode that stress can cause is freeze. For some people, becoming stressed sets the stage for dysregulation. The energy mobilized by the perceived threat gets locked into the nervous system and we freeze. This response sometimes reveals itself when we breathe. Holding our breath and shallow breathing are both forms of freeze. All three ways can be eliminated if we make a conscious effort to do so.

There are several ways to reduce stress. Developing a gratitude practice is psychologically proven to reduce stress and maintain a more positive outlook on life. When one maintains a more positive outlook, less of the stress hormone cortisol is secreted. You become happier and more productive as well. Most successful people adopt this strategy to save themselves and create some peace of mind.
Sometimes, staying positive seems impossible or somewhat difficult. Yet, successful people tend to be those who see opportunities in every situation. They look to learn lessons and use them as stepping stones to improve. Maintaining a positive outlook is a proven stress management tool and coping mechanism. They focus on progress; not perfection.

Practicing self-care is also a proficient way to release stress. Successful people are mindful in realizing that they must care for their most important asset which is themselves. They prioritize healthy habits like getting enough sleep, limiting caffeine and alcohol, getting proper exercise and limiting technology periodically. Being tired, overindulging in caffeine or alcohol and continually monitoring our digital lives puts our adrenal glands into overdrive. This sends our stress levels through the roof. A truly successful person will strive to find a balance to help moderate his stress.

Eliminating stress is about focusing on the “why” rather than the “how.” For example, you may feel yourself getting stressed out about the thought of working out every day for an hour. However, if you focus on the reason you should work out which is to develop a healthier lifestyle, you may find the actual task less stressful. This goes a long way in helping to cope with stress.

Stress, pressure and public exposure are major challenges that successful people encounter due to constant exposure. The average person who faces stress is advised to use the same strategies. Getting the maximum relief from stress will make life much easier and help you gain healthy habits to share with others.