UNMASKING STRESS: 10 TRUTHS YOU NEED TO KNOW!

“Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” – Dale Carnegie

Stress is something we all experience, but don’t fully understand. We feel it every day — in our bodies, our minds, and our relationships — but we rarely stop to examine what it truly means. If you asked ten people to define stress, you’d probably get ten different answers.

The good news? When we learn to recognize stress and understand how it works, we can stop reacting to it blindly and start responding to it wisely. The next ten statements invite you to see stress in a new, more helpful light.

WHO AM I?

1.    I AM your lifetime companion - Only death can separate us.

2.   I AM the gap between demand and ability — I appear when what is asked of you appears to be more than what you think you can give.

3.   I AM invisible. -- You can’t see me, but others can see me written all over your face.

4.   I AM a chemical cocktail — I flood your bloodstream with cortisol and adrenaline that put you on high alert when danger, pressure, or change is detected.

5.   I AM a sneaky thief  -  I can creep into your mind at night and rob you of your sleep.

6.   I AM unique to each person — What breaks one person may barely touch another.

7.   I AM a messenger — I signal that something in your life needs attention, change, or adjustment.

8.  I AM cumulative — If you ignore me, I pile up until my weight becomes too heavy to ignore.

9.  I AM both your friend and foe — In small amounts, I can help you focus and boost performance, but when I hang around too long, I take a toll on you mentally and physically, causing conditions that affect millions of people worldwide.

10.  I AM manageable —You can control me and even transform me into a source of strength.

I AM STRESS!

You are the only one who can manage your stress, and knowledge is the first step toward power. So now that you know better, do better! One day and one small change at a time, manage your stress – or it will manage you!  

Control Stress; Be Well!

Need help keeping your silent companion in its place? Contact me at smallchange@myrtlerussell.com.

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