We each have a certain threshold that we can take on before we fill out capacity. This threshold is relevant to a lot of things in our life. One that is talked about over and over again is our ability to process stress. We can only handle a certain amount of stress before we cannot take anymore and start to break down. When we have reached this threshold it does not necessarily mean we need to work on ways on which we can increase this threshold and take on more stress. No, it has to do with how we manage our stress, it has more to do with how we take care of ways in which we are being realistic with ourselves and shift our mindset with how we handle stress.
Here are 3 ways to shift your mindset when you are stressed to not be a prisoner to the stress.
There is not a set blueprint to practicing self-care
There is no wrong way to practice self-care. Just because you see a ton of influencers on Instagram practicing 10 different ways they practice self-care every day. Making sure that you don’t put that pressure upon yourself to do all the things they are doing will make practicing self-care much easier. You certainly don’t want to add stress to your plate by trying to do exactly what someone else is doing. This may not be realistic to your life and you need to honor this reality first. Try adding one self-care task to your routine and see how that goes for you. If you like what it is doing, then try adding another or switching things up. The important idea here is to take a little time for yourself to help decompress and honor the strength within yourself so that the stress does not rule your life.
You have the power
Part of feeling stressed can come from feeling overwhelmed about feeling like you are at the mercy of everything in your life. Life can certainly be challenging and even more challenging at time, but the key is to not let it take control of your life and define who you are. You have the power over your own choices. If you need to say no to a friend gathering because you just need a night to lay low and unwind, then say no. The world is not going to end and your friends won’t be disappointed in you. Deep down selfishly they want you there, but really they want you to take care of you.
Be kind to yourself
In the end, you are what controls your attitude. If you are mean to yourself that is certainly not helping anything. It is actually making whatever that is bothering you worse. If you beat yourself up for not being able to get something done, then guess what? You just didn’t have time to do it, despite your best efforts. No one can create more time. You have as much time in your day as the President of the United States and someone in jail. In that regards, we are all the same. It is how you support yourself in that amount of time is what sets you apart from anyone else.
