UNDERSTANDING WHAT STRESS IS

THE WRAP-UP:
1. Understand Your Focus of Consciousness
Through honest self-reflection, you’ll find that the truest idea of self, is consciousness—and it can be directed at will. Most often, we focus our awareness on one of three areas: The body (physical sensations), The mind (considerations, trains-of-though, and solutions or ideas), external perception (what you see, hear, or otherwise feel unfolding around you). Learning to choose where you place your focused awareness can greatly reduce stress and enhance your experience of the present moment.

2. Be Realistic About Stress
Stress is real—even if you can’t see it. A wealth of scientific research confirms that stress is a precursor to many physical and mental health issues. You can choose to ignore the stress certain activities bring, or you can acknowledge it and make more thoughtful decisions moving forward. Ask yourself: Does this truly need to be done immediately, or can I give it the time needed to ensure a non-stressful experience and the best outcome?

3. Let Go of the Need to Control
Stress often arises from the mental habit of overanalyzing and trying to control every experience and outcome. The more you’re entangled in problem-solving and rigid planning, the more stress you’ll carry. If you hadn’t created those unrealistic expectations in the first place, you wouldn’t now feel the pressure to force them into reality.

4. Pursue Goals with Patience
Life is best lived in a relaxed state—mentally and physically. Goals are visions for the future, don’t let reaching them create unreasonable, unyielding demands on your present. Reaching for them will naturally introduce stress, so the key is to approach them with moderation. Take things one step at a time. Patient, steady progress is more likely to lead to an enjoyable, healthy, and satisfying outcome.

5. Use Time as an Ally, Not an Enemy
Time can work for you or against you—it depends on how you use it. Giving yourself ample time to achieve your goals not only reduces stress but also allows space to enjoy the journey. Like when taking the scenic route, you may find unexpected joy along the way: a flock of birds in flight or a peaceful vista—moments worth pausing for the experience. Don’t be in such a hurry that you miss the joy involved in these types of experiences.

6. Deadlines Are Not Destiny
Missing a self-imposed deadline is not a failure of the universe—it’s a misstep in your own expectations. The problem lies not in reality, but in the insistence that things must unfold according to your personal timeline. Realigning your thinking and adjusting your plans to fit the circumstances, when required, will reduce the stress otherwise experienced.

7. Simplify, Slow Down, and Savor the Experience
If you’re overwhelmed, simplify your life. Trim your to-do list and allow room for enjoyment. Don’t make your goals the over-riding priority; make joyful, meaningful experiences the priority while you pursue those goals. This shift in perspective takes patience, but it’s worth it.
Remember the restless question from the back seat of the automobile during those long trips: “Are we there yet?” “Are we there yet?” “Are we there yet?” The reply in most cases is the age-old wisdom: “Calm down, relax—look out the window and enjoy the ride, there’s lots to see and games to play.” (“I spy . . . an armadillo.”)
Life moves fast—don’t forget to truly take it all in. The only experience to have, at the moment, is the one unfolding in front of you, and it becomes far more meaningful when you temper your expectations and focus on enjoying it. When this ride ends and the next begins, there’s no promise it will be any better than the experience you’re so eager to escape.