Motivational Monday 8 - Stress and Your Ability to Survive It

You are always so much stronger than you think you are. You always have more to give – you just gotta dig a little deeper. It’s true when you’re pushing your body to its limits when working out, and it’s true when you’re facing an emotionally trying time.

But just because you can survive it doesn't mean that you should intentionally be putting yourself in stressful situations. Everybody has a breaking point. No one can deal with having an enormous amount of stress placed on their shoulders without dealing with consequences. Psychological studies have shown that stress has real impact on our bodies, so it’s best to avoid it as much as possible. However, unfortunately, you can’t always avoid it.

When you absolutely cannot avoid being under stress, at least take time to remind yourself that you have within you the ability to survive your circumstances. You might feel like you’re going crazy, but please know that you can and will survive. Still, you might want to keep a close eye on your health.

Stress is not something to take lightly. Don’t intentionally put yourself in stressful situations. If you’re afraid of heights, don’t go rock climbing. If you feel like a certain relationship is pulling you down, cut ties with that person or seek counseling. Also, if your life circumstances really are too much for you to handle, go see a therapist.

On the other hand, no stress at all can also be harmful. Stress can keep us from becoming numb to our surroundings. Good stress is called eustress and it is a real thing (don’t believe me? Look it up!). Don’t live your life inside a bubble because you’re so scared of what might happen. Surviving is not the same thing as living. Thriving is what you want to aim for.

So to reiterate what I’ve just said (which is the whole point of a conclusion), stress can be harmful to you, but avoiding stress can keep you from living your life. The key is to know your breaking point: when you feel like you’ve officially reached that breaking point, seek help, whether from family, friends, or professionals. Just remember: you are usually stronger than you think you are, and you do have the ability to survive much more than you think you can.

Cheers!

Molly