YEAH, WE'RE ALL STRESSED — HERE'S WHY

“Fear is an invitation to reconnect with a deeper sense of self.”

Stress Awareness Month has sparked several interesting conversations about how stress affects us. While I didn’t learn anything new, these individual and group talks confirmed three things: 1) We don’t fully understand how stress affects our bodies. 2) We don’t get the connection between fear and stress. And, 3) No one is immune to stress, no matter their background.

Most of our stress comes from the fear we create in our minds when something unfamiliar shows up, even when there is no danger to safety or survival. The most common fears linked to stress are: Fear of Loss; Fear of Failure; Fear of Rejection; Fear of Judgment; Fear of Vulnerability; Fear of Losing Control; and Fear of Death.  

These fears, and others, bluff us into resisting change and staying in our “perceived comfort zones.” I say 'perceived' because if you were really comfortable, you wouldn’t reach for quick fixes.

Understanding the fear-stress connection means knowing that the things you fear most are often the very things that stand between you and your best self.

So what if you imagined fear as a closed door? And behind that door were new levels of courage and freedom - a doorway that leads to growth and opportunity. Would it be worth opening?

I’ve looked at fear and run more times than I can count, only to discover that most of what I feared never happened. And even when it did, I survived. But life is so much more than surviving – it’s thriving. And to thrive, you must be brave enough to walk through fear’s doorway and discover what it has to offer.  

But don’t get lost. Thriving is not the big things we do, the camera-ready moments. The person who thrives is the one who prioritizes the ordinary things when nothing's on the line. They practice refilling their cups daily, knowing that life is not a series of highlight reels separated by fillers – the fillers are the things you do daily - how you start your day, what you feed your mind, and how you treat your body.

Most of us survive the big things because we're strong, but we thrive because of our daily habits and what we do when nothing's on the line - no accolades or rewards except those we give to ourselves.

What keeps me thriving? My small change Top 10 Daily Countdown to Wellness Tips. I hope they’ll help you manage stress so that it doesn’t manage you. Download your free copy below.

Top 10 Daily Countdown to Wellness.

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Face Fear: Be Well!

Need help? I’m here for you. Reach out at smallchange@myrtlerussell.com.

For additional wellness tips, subscribe to my small change Weekly Wellness Tips at https://www.myrtlerussell.com/contact-us