Empowering Yourself To Manage Your Stress

The post is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.

If you’ve ever felt like your life is rushing by, and you’re merely a spectator, you’re certainly not alone. 

In fact, many of us sometimes feel we’re just going with the flow in our lives, with no real say in how the future pans out. We’re just hanging on, pushing through one stressful encounter to the next.

But you can change that.

Taking control
Taking ownership of your life is more than just a nice, pretty phrase – it’s a commitment you make to yourself. When you decide to take control of the stress in your life, you’re choosing to shape your own story, making sure your life isn’t just something happening to you. 

You actually have more control over stress than you think. While we can’t always control external circumstances, we do have agency over how we respond to them. In the fast-paced world we live in, it’s crucial to recognize that many of the decisions we make throughout the day can either amplify our stress or strengthen our resilience. 

And knowing you have the power to do that can help you feel empowered, make decisions that fit your dreams, and better live in the moment.

Signs that you’re not managing the stress in your life
As human beings, we like to be in control. And when our control seems to slip away, we can experience a lot of emotions. Understanding, acknowledging and addressing these emotions can help you work toward empowering yourself to achieve a calmer, more fulfilling life. 

We all have different levels and types of stress in our lives, but there are some pretty consistent patterns when it comes to ineffectively managing that stress. Here are a few to consider:

• Anxiety: Constant wondering about the “what ifs” of your life or hating the fact that you can’t predict what’s coming next. 
• Recurrent frustration: Feeling angry – and like you’re in a rut when situations don’t work out like you plan.
• Inability to control thoughts: Being stuck in a loop of repetitive worries or thoughts.
• Feelings of helplessness and overwhelm: Seemingly overwhelmed by circumstances, stuck or completely powerless. Feeling like there’s just too much going on – this often leads to burnout.
• Symptoms of depression: Feeling out of control for a long time can bring sadness as you mourn the disconnect between your desires and your reality.

Ways to take back some control
Planning for the future isn’t just about having big dreams, although those are great too. It’s also about the little steps you take each day, making sure they lead you toward the happiness and health you want. The more you empower yourself now, the more ready you’ll be to tackle whatever comes next.

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Reflect on your goals and feelings: Understand yourself and what you want out of life. 
• Create a vision board: Visualize your dreams and goals as a daily reminder and a source of motivation.
• Identify what’s within your control: Focus your energy on aspects of your life that you can change. And then try to let everything else go.
• Stay active: Enhance your mental and physical well-being.
• Seek mentorship: Learn from those you admire and gain new perspectives on how to navigate stressful situations.
• Prioritize and organize your time: Manage time effectively to achieve your goals.
• Develop new skills: Increase your capabilities and boost your confidence.
• Set realistic goals: Achieve small victories to build momentum.
• Adopt a growth mindset: This one’s hard, but try to cultivate a mindset that sees challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats. Instead of shying away from change, those with a growth mindset embrace it, viewing stress as a catalyst for personal development and resilience-building. 
• Build a support system: Surround yourself with encouraging, supportive people.
• Take action: Be decisive and proactive in pursuing your goals. And remember – stress isn’t inherently negative. Like a tough workout that strengthens our muscles, stressful situations also can strengthen our resilience if we approach them with the right mindset. By reframing stress as a potential source of growth and empowerment, we can harness its energy to fuel our progress rather than letting it drain us.
• Practice mindfulness: Staying grounded in the present moment can help manage anxiety and stress. In fact, mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga or simply taking a walk outside can help you stay attuned to your feelings and catch stress before it escalates into a chronic condition.
• Prioritize self-care: Adopting habits that replenish our energy reserves is essential for building resilience. Just like our muscles need time to recover after a workout, our minds need rest and rejuvenation after periods of stress. By integrating activities that nourish your well-being into your daily routines, you can fortify yourself against the damaging effects of stress and enhance your capacity to bounce back from adversity.
• Consider therapy: Talking with a trusted counselor can help you process and often reframe the stressful challenges in your life. Many different types of in-person and online therapy options are available. If you’re interested in therapy but aren’t sure what type is right for you, online therapy service BetterHelp an guide you through your options, from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to music therapy.

So now what?
Taking control of your life is a journey, not a destination. Start small, stay consistent and remember that every step you take is progress toward a more empowered and fulfilling life.

And remember – stress management is fundamentally about choice. When you work to adopt an empowered mindset and consciously choose how you respond to stress, you can reclaim control over your life. 

By focusing on what you can control instead of dwelling on what you can’t, you can cultivate resilience and pave the way for greater productivity and fulfillment. So, embrace the power of choice and empower yourself to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and grace.