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“I’m so stressed out!” Has become the mantra of modern culture. 

Deadlines loom, expectations soar, and the constant "go-go-go" mentality is leaving us feeling overwhelmed. 

As high performers and leaders, when feelings of overwhelm start to set in, our first thoughts often go to the strategy and tactics we might use to address it.

While stress management strategies like meditation, schedule blocking, and exercise are crucial, there's a fundamental truth often overlooked: mindset precedes strategy.

In this issue we’re going to reveal how our perception of stress significantly impacts its effect on our well-being and share some evidence-based practices that will help you optimize your stress response.

Stress-Is-Enhancing Mindset

What’s your stress mindset? 

How do you relate to stress? 

Do you believe stress can have a positive impact on outcomes such as performance and productivity, learning and growth, health, and vitality?

It seems as if society has reached the conclusion that stress is a problem, something to be eliminated from our modern lifestyles. 

Most of us tend to equate stress with distress and we’re wrong!

Stress is natural and necessary. It’s a vital component of healthy existence and flourishing.  

Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology reveals that individuals with a "stress is enhancing" mindset, viewing stress as a challenge that fuels growth, exhibit lower stress hormone levels and better coping mechanisms compared to those who perceive stress as debilitating.

Here's the science behind it:

• Neurological Impact: A "stress is enhancing" mindset activates the prefrontal cortex, the brain's control center, leading to better decision-making and emotional regulation under pressure.

• Physiological Response: This mindset triggers the release of beneficial hormones like dopamine and norepinephrine, enhancing focus and resilience. Conversely, a negative perception triggers cortisol, the stress hormone, leading to anxiety and fatigue.

• Behavioral Change: Viewing stress as a growth opportunity encourages proactive coping strategies. You're more likely to seek support, practice healthy habits, and maintain perspective, ultimately mitigating the negative effects of stress.

Optimizing Stress Responses

Stress is not a problem to be solved, it's a tool to be leveraged.

So, how do we cultivate the performance enhancing qualities of stress?

1. Value Stress: Take a moment to reflect on your general beliefs about the nature of stress. Here is a self reported measure to help you and your team evaluate this. 

2. Focus on Challenge, Not Threat: Shift your internal narrative. Stress frequently emerges when we’re pursuing goals that are important to us. Instead of "This deadline is going to crush me," try "This deadline is an opportunity to showcase my skills."

3. Celebrate the Wins: Recognize and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. This reinforces the belief that you can handle pressure, research shows that the benefits of self-affirmations aren’t isolated to the individual. By positively changing ourselves we positively change our social environments.

Stress is mission critical, a signal to rise to the occasion. Help your team acknowledge it as a natural part of the high-performance journey, a catalyst for growth and adaptation.

Remember, mindset isn't a one-time fix. It's a continuous practice. 

By actively cultivating a stress-is-enhancing mindset, you equip yourself and your team with the most powerful tool for effective stress management – your own perspective.