Being hit with something out of left field can stir up your impulse control. You might overwork, overthink or freak out. You are not at your best. How can you catch yourself before the impulse control goes out the window?
No one wants to be a terrible version of themselves. You don’t want to underperform. It’s easier to make changes in your reactions to stress by making personal discoveries. What happens to you when you get hit with stress? How do you react?
4 Common Elements to Stress Response Internally
- The mind floods with thoughts and emotions during stressful times. It can be distracting and overwhelming
- The body tenses. You might feel tightness in your chest or hear your heartbeat in your ears.
- You engage in pressured behavior. You overstep or hold back.
- Your mind and body distress compound and make you feel regret from taking impulsive actions.
- What triggers your stress response? The only things that stress you out are the ones that are really important to you. Examine what about the situation is so stressful for you.
- You can get stuck in a stress spin cycle like an off-balance washing machine. Negative thoughts keep kicking around, reinforced by earlier negative experiences. It’s easy to adopt a negative self-belief and throw in the towel. You can catch yourself in the process and respond more productively.
Dr. Frank Wood, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and founder of the innovative training program Thriving with Stress.