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The power of a positive attitude How we handle stress depends upon our attitude. But attitude also affects the way stress handles us. Optimists are able to cope more effectively with stress. It also reduces their chances of developing a stress-related illness. When optimistic people do become ill, they tend to recover more quickly. According to recent BBC news , researchers have linked a positive attitude with:
You’ll feel better too—when you choose your attitude. The key to putting this into action is in this quote by Thaddeus Golas – “What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens.“ I can still make it if I hurry! You got off to a late start. Even by your exact calculation, you still have enough minutes to get to the airport. “I can still make it on time if I hurry!” In fact, you’re driving across town to the airport. Your plane is the last flight to make your connection—halfway across the country. If you miss it, you’ll arrive half a day late and completely miss a very important meeting. You drive the few blocks but traffic is moving at a discouragingly slow pace. Finally, on the freeway …but after 5 minutes … a standstill. No exit in sight. Can’t turn around. What do you do?? OK – Even the most patient and calm person would feel the tension bearing down. But for how long? How long would you let stress work its negative power on you in this situation? What’s in your control?Stress seems to seek out our weak spots and shows no mercy! The truth is, however, that you have complete control over the situation – the current situation. Yes – you have control over your reaction. Are you going to wreak havoc on your body and punish yourself all the way home? Or are you going to step beyond the unnecessary stress and move on to your next course of action?There’s a difference between examining your options with an open mind and beating yourself about something just so you can hear yourself rage. Have you ever gotten yourself so worked up only to find out that there was an alternate plan that you probably would have thought of if you weren’t so preoccupied with your emotions? The “traffic” in the traffic situation is actually one of the least important factors of the situation because it’s not going to change. Some important factors might be contacting the people you were supposed to meet with, check flight options, and make a mental checklist to prepare for the meeting when it DOES happen. Choose Less Stress in AdvanceOf course, you can also prepare so that you have a different experience next time. Leave enough time so that you won’t be stuck in traffic, but that’s another matter! There is a clear, distinct difference between a situation where you have no control over what is happening NOW and a situation where you can prevent future stress.Getting Started Before you even take the first step, realize that negative thoughts are the most stubborn of all thoughts! They won’t change overnight, so be kind to yourself. This is a great place to use a personalized stress relief map to grasp the key problems areas and make a plan for success with less stress. To get started using your stress relief maps and other visual tools in the most simple and effective way possible, check out SOS: Stress Options and Solutions. You’ll find field-tested visual mapping techniques to gain stress relief. Click here for more details. Making progress When ideas or views are not serving you, examine your perceptions and adapt them. Try to understand how important it is to respond to life’s situations and not react. Holding grudges and clinging to frustrations are not in your best health interests. Step out of the little struggles. Take a look at a bigger picture. What words do you use frequently? This may seem like a small detail—but you can get a high impact with small language changes. For example, "I won't," shows choice, whereas "I can't" reveals a feeling of powerlessness. Attitudes shape word choice and word choice shapes how you feel. It’s worth considering. For more information on research on optimistic attitude, check out the article on the BBC News website http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3642356.stm Know someone who would like to reduce his or her stress? |
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