Day Twelve - Mindset
Today's challenge is to reframe stress.
We know that anxiety and stress are a natural reaction to stimuli, and they say if you're not stressed, you're not human!! Our flight or fight response is hardwired, which can be positive and has kept us alive over time, but chronic stress or being stressed about stress is not good.
So how is stress helping us right now? As humans, our attention is naturally drawn to negative things and with a constant scan of the horizon for threats and predators. The COVID-19 virus is one of those threats that are likely to cause stress, but we have already responded with adaptive responses, such as working from home, physical distancing, and increased handwashing. Research has shown that if people learn to view stress with a different mindset, as helpful rather than disabling, they can learn to handle its effects better.1
One way to view stress differently is the 'circle of control' approach made famous by Dale Carnegie and used in the US Navy Seal Mental toughness program. Reflect on an issue that maybe causing stress currently and place it in one of three concentric circles: Circle of Concern (all the things that be aware of but have little control over), Circle of Influence (the things that we can influence but don't have direct control) and Centre of Control (something we have direct control over with our actions, attitude, and effect).
Take 1 minute right now to think about something that's on your mind and place it in your circle of control.
Reference
Rethinking Stress: The Role of Mindsets in Determining the Stress Response. (Rethinking stress: The role of mindsets in determining the stress response )
Further reading
Listen: How stress can make us stronger Trained by Nike - Angela Duckworth
** Disclaimer – Part of the Build Your Ideal Day Program – 30 Day challenge by Duncan Young. All content and media on the Build Your Ideal Day Website is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.
