Read Time: 3.5 minutes

As high performers, we thrive on pressure. 

We chase deadlines, conquer challenges, and constantly push ourselves to the next level. 

But in this relentless pursuit of excellence, a silent enemy lurks: stress. Often fueled by anxiety and worry, unchecked stress can become a stranglehold on our effectiveness, as captured by Exos CEO Sarah Robb O’Hagan's comment during a recent press release, 

"Problems like exhaustion, high levels of stress, and an unprecedented pace of change are all causing workers to burnout in record numbers… Now more than ever, corporations have the responsibility of rethinking how they're getting employees ready to meet the ever-evolving workplace demands while sustaining performance over the long term."

In this issue, we’re going to share some thoughts that help illuminate the modern realities of the ancient truth that stress strangles. 

A Crucial Distinction

While worry and anxiety are often used interchangeably, there's a crucial distinction. 

Worry tends to be focused on a specific concern. This focus is often channeled in two directions; concerns about all the things you have to do, concerns about all the things you want. Worrying is a psychological process. 

However, anxiety is our body’s natural threat response system. It’s a physiological state that occurs when confronted with danger or a perceived threat. Anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms like racing heart, muscle tension, and fatigue.

Neither anxiety nor worry are bad. They both have a functional role in a high performers toolbox. The problem occurs when left unchecked a more pervasive physiological state can arise with excessive and persistent worry, resulting in the chronic release of stress hormones like cortisol.

Research has linked chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels to impaired cognitive function, memory problems, and decreased decision-making abilities. 

These are precisely the skills highly effective leaders rely on!

The Stress Stranglehold

So, how does this stress stranglehold manifest? Here are some red flags:

Physically Exhausted: The constant pressure of performing can leave our bodies depleted, making even basic tasks feel overwhelming. This drains our physical reserves, hindering our ability to perform at our best.

Mentally Drained: Chronic stress bombards our brains with stress hormones, leading to difficulty concentrating, remembering information, and thinking clearly. 

Emotionally Spent: When stress becomes chronic, we can become emotionally numb, unable to experience joy or motivation. This emotional exhaustion makes it difficult to connect with colleagues, manage challenges, and celebrate successes.

Spiritually Void:  The relentless pursuit of achievement under constant stress can disconnect us from our core values and our sense of purpose.  Imposter syndrome thrives in this environment, leaving us questioning our abilities and feeling like frauds. We lose sight of the bigger picture and the reasons that drive us in the first place.

These are just a few examples. The key takeaway is that unchecked worry and anxiety, expressed as chronic stress, can undermine the very foundation of our success.

The Good News? 

Just as we train our bodies, we can train our minds to manage stress. 

Techniques like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and regular physical activity have all been shown to effectively reduce anxiety and improve our ability to manage stress. 

Additionally, prioritizing sleep and recovery, setting realistic value-based goals, and doing life in community are crucial for long-term resilience.

Remember, high performance and well-being are not mutually exclusive. In fact we were designed with both in mind. 

By recognizing the warning signs of excessive worry and anxiety, practicing self-mastery, and implementing healthy coping mechanisms, we can break free from the stranglehold of stress, and flourish on our path to success.