How To Stress Less And Study Smart

By Lachlan Haynes


Oh So Stressed

Everyone experiences stress. Stress can be both good and bad depending on the level of stress experienced and the result it creates. When it creates focus and action it can be a good thing. But when it creates anxiety, tension and a feeling of being "overloaded" it is obviously a bad outcome.

Irrespective of the stress that exists for you (small or large) the most important factor is how we (individually and collectively) react and respond to our daily stresses.

When in a state of "stress" our judgement and temperament is often impaired which leads to a negatively skewed opinion of the activities and world around us, and typically the mistreatment of those around us - predominately the ones closest to us (such as friends and family), but also strangers in many circumstances.

For most people this only happens occasionally, however in more serious situations this can happen regularly, and once something becomes a regular action, it quickly becomes a habit. In this case, it is a negative habit that has no positive outcomes.

Stress-induced habits and behaviors that have a negative impact must be replaced by positive action. High achievement does not result from an inability to cope with high stress levels; it results from calm and calculated responses to stressful stimulus.

The Problem: I'm Being A Negative Nelly

Negative self-dialogue is a consistent reaction to stressful situations. Responses such as "I can't do this", "I am going to fail", or "I don't know what I'm doing" only add further stress to the stress that is being experienced! It is a downward spiral. Unfortunately, this type of dialogue is also our most powerful dialogue and controls our responses to stressful situations.

Negative self-dialogue creates a negative self-fulfilling prophecy. What this means is that the negative self-dialogue creates an outlook that "everything is negative" and "everything that happens is negative" thereby resulting in a completely miserable life experience. However, this is just a result of a negative perception - it's not "the truth". In other words, if someone believes their life is stressful, then it's stressful! If they don't believe it's stressful then it's not stressful! See how perception creates reality?

This perception may not seem like a big deal but it can actually be very destructive - both for the individual and for those around them. Particularly so given that those with negative outlooks tend to group together (usually because those with positive outlooks can't stand being in the presence of those with negative outlooks) and continue to wallow in eachother's negatively skewed view of the world.

The Solution: Positive Self-Talk

When controlled and executed properly, positive self-dialogue can truly change your life. A constant state of positivism breeds positive experiences and connections with other positive people. The other major benefit of positive self-dialogue is that your outlook on your life will improve even if nothing about your life is actually different. However, the fact you feel better about yourself and your life means that you are far more open to the actions that are required to get you the results you want.

Regardless of what your perception is telling you right now (that this is a lame idea of that it's a great idea) the reality is that a positive attitude leads to less stress - even though the situation itself has not changed at all. Regular positive and uplifting self-dialogue such as "I will succeed", "I will overcome this challenge", "I will prevail" or "My life always turns out for the best" will serve you in good times and bad. By making these positive thoughts your regular and consistent reaction to any challenge, your life will be better. No doubt about it. Don't believe me? Try it the next time you fail, or the next time you get criticized, or the next time you feel stressed out. They try it every day for a week, then every week for a month. I promise you that you will be amazed at what your new positive perception can accomplish.

If you don't know why you're stressed out you wont be able to understand how to resolve it. It's easy to blame external forces like school, or your teachers, or your parents - but often it really comes down to how you internalize the stress and allow it to take hold of you. Only be examining what is really stressing you out will you be able take charge of the situation. To read the full article and find out more please follow the links below. Good luck!




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