{"id":29336,"date":"2023-05-04T16:37:30","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T14:37:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/benelux.vps.buzztestserver.co.uk\/en\/?post_type=resources&p=29336"},"modified":"2024-09-04T11:02:59","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T09:02:59","slug":"changing-how-you-perceive-stressors","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/benelux.vps.buzztestserver.co.uk\/en\/resources\/changing-how-you-perceive-stressors\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing How You Perceive Stressors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This article originally appeared on\u00a0Microlearning<\/a>, our bite-sized online solution for leaders and individual contributors.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can\u2019t control every high-stress thing that life throws at you. But you\u00a0can<\/em>\u00a0reframe your view of those things \u2014 and thereby reduce your feelings of stress. If a stressor is recurring or distracting you for more than a couple of hours, try techniques like these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Ask yourself,\u00a0Will this matter in one month? One year?<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Try it when: <\/em>You\u2019re consumed with the idea that the event you\u2019re experiencing is a total disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re at risk of losing a big customer. You had an argument with your boss. In the moment, stress can shrink your whole world to the worry you\u2019re feeling \u2014 so you can\u2019t think about anything else. But most stressors are short-lived. That big thing that\u2019s stressing you out right now? In a month or two (or a year, depending) there\u2019s a good chance it will barely register on your radar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to step back and gain much-needed perspective. Ask yourself how much this situation really matters in the context of your long-term goals and priorities. From this zoomed-out view, immediate stressors can begin to feel less consequential \u2014 so you can refocus on doing your best rather than spinning your wheels with stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caveat: This technique tends to be helpful for single events with a concrete deadline, like a project that has you working late or an upcoming difficult conversation. It may be less helpful for ongoing stressors, like economic uncertainty for your company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Notice and challenge your negative thoughts around the situation.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Try it when:<\/em> You find yourself spiraling into pessimism about what will happen and its impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I missed an important deadline \u2014 my boss will never trust me again!<\/em>
This goal is impossible \u2014 we\u2019ll never meet it!<\/em>
These budget cuts won\u2019t be fair \u2014 my team always gets short shrift!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stress can lead to negative thoughts, which can lead to worrying about how a situation will turn out \u2014 which then leads to even more stress. It\u2019s a vicious cycle that can land you thinking about worst-case scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To break the cycle, start by simply noticing negative thoughts as they arise. Then, before your mind has a chance to run wild, try to challenge your negative thinking by asking yourself whether your story about the stress is true and accurate. Hint: If you find yourself using words like \u201calways\u201d and \u201cnever,\u201d it probably isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To separate your stress from reality, try asking yourself questions like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n