How to Lower Stress Quickly
Prolonged stress shortens our lives. Every time we loiter over stressful issues, we ruin our health and shorten our lives. Yet we multiply stress by putting things off.
Lower stress quickly with intentional action. Don’t say, “I need more misery,” before you grapple with a decision that’s polluting your peace of mind.
Lower stress quickly:
Your body doesn’t care what’s causing stress. It’s begging you to do something. Why elevate anxiety? Make that decision. Face that conflict. Delegate that responsibility before your stomach punishes you.
The best way to manage stress is to face the thing that’s causing anxiety. If possible, physically move toward your fear (unless you’re in a heated argument).
Determine what you want before you act. Action without intention leads to confusion and exhaustion. Engage the courage circuit* by doing something productive. When you’re unsure, act with reasonable confidence that you won’t make things worse.
You can’t finish until you begin. Choose how you will show up for a tough conversation. Identify five key behaviors that express your intention. Imagine yourself living into those five behaviors. Picture where you are when you show up. Choose your body language and tone of voice. After you imagine success, take the next step.
- Discuss your plan with a trusted advisor. Seek feedback and advice.
- Plan your response to surprises. What will you do when the unexpected happens?
- Finish a small task like scheduling an appointment or sending an email. You could pick up the phone or drop by someone’s office.
You elevate stress by focusing on it. You lower stress quickly when you clarify what you want and take the next step. Action answers anxiety.
What’s something useful you do to answer stress?
*Read about the courage circuit at Stanford Medicine.
PSA: It is my opinion that the good advice above is for sources of stress and impact that are nearby in space and time. Others around you locate them and assess them with similar intensity. If your emotional state is persistent or has sharp spikes, associated in your mind with more distant threats in space and time, you might have something else going on, too. Talk to a mental health pro. There is no shame in this.
Thanks, Robert. This post is about stress caused by a lack of appropriate action.
Taking action is important. But sometimes it’s help to take a few minutes and think–what can I delegate; what can I eliminate because it doesn’t add value; am I focused on the most important things; who can give me some good advice on this problem.
I suppose in that case the action to be taken is delegating and courageously narrowing focus. Both actions require planning and action. Both, when delayed multiply stress.
The questions you offer help us know what kind of action is useful. They also protect from inappropriate action.
Hi Dan,
This was such an impactful read. I couldn’t agree more. Any stress and anxiety I’ve generally experienced was due to inaction. I’m going to share this with everyone on my team today. Thank you!
-Lucian
It’s a pleasure to be useful, Lucian. This post was inspired by a conversation with my son. He was promoted to a leadership position about two years ago. When I asked him what he was learning he said, “Most of the stress I have comes because I’m putting something off.”
Stress is inevitable in our lives. Especially “distress”. Knowing we will be affected by it is a call to action to prepare for it in advance. By reading about it, talking about it, and having sites such as this one is a great way to prepare for it.
So true, Tim. It’s doubly destructive to be stressed over being stressed.
Your use of the word “distress” reminded me of “eustress.” Healthy stress brings us to life. No stress is boring.