The Surprisingly Simple Way to Make Stress your Friend

When we want to create something, or do something a little different, or make a big change to our lives… stress and fear kicks in. And sure, while smol, that lil’ amygdala has saved us many times:

But there’re times when we simply DON’T need it. And when that subconscious whisper of ‘don’t do it! You’ll DIE!’ rings in your ear, Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Big Magic) says to ‘acknowledge its importance’ and ‘talk to it in a friendly way’.

This is how she talks to her fear, in an interview with Marie Forleo:

Substitute that with:

“just preparing for a test”

“just saying no to someone”

“just cutting off a conversation mid-way because I need to pee”

Stress is just our body helping us to stay alive. And when we care about something, stress will be there.

Speaking up when someone cuts in front of you in a line will not kill you, but our body says ‘I HELP’, and thus begins the heart thumping and rapid overthinking.

And if we consciously know a situation won’t do any harm, and still our stress flares up? Then Kelly McGonigal (her ted talk is a must watch) suggests to think this:

So next time that fear or anxiety crops up, treat it with: Respect and appreciation

Smile, and say “thank you for your concern, but I’m. all. good.”