Simple Actions to Prevent Stress from Taking Over

Welcome to Love Mondays More the weekly LinkedIn newsletter that delves deeper into the ideas and concepts driving my Love Mondays email newsletter series.

Why ‘Love Mondays’? Mondays are often the low part of the week, earning the title of “worst day of the week” by the Guinness World Records. So I aim to provide a 4-minute caffeine hit of content to fire up the other 10,076 minutes of your week and stave off the Monday malaise. Don’t just live Mondays, Love Mondays!

Stress is part of the package when you’re in a leadership role—constantly juggling deadlines, decisions, and the well-being of your team. In my experience, stress can be a double-edged sword, though. On the one hand, a bit of pressure can be just the kick you need to hit deadlines, solve problems or focus your team through a challenge or peak achievement.?

But on the other hand, too much stress can push you to the brink, leading to burnout and exhaustion. We’ve heard a lot about this kind of stress in the corporate world over the past few years, and it’s not going away. A recent global survey by Circle In found that 75% of managers are experiencing stress and burnout for very real reasons—90% said supporting their team through challenging life issues has become a major part of their role, and 70% say providing this emotional support impacts their own stress levels. These factors, along with others like toxic workplaces, bullying, and work overload, are serious concerns that deserve our full attention and prompt action.

The key takeaway: Not all stress is created equal.?

But today, what I want to talk about is the type of stress that, when managed well, can fuel us through the week and keep us moving forward. It’s the stress that pushes us to meet a tough deadline, rise to a challenge, or achieve something we didn’t think possible. But even this 'good' stress needs to be carefully managed, or it can quickly tip into something far less helpful.

Managing Stress: Two Key Strategies

1. Shift Your Perspective

You’ve probably heard the saying, “mindset is everything.” When it comes to stress, this couldn’t be more true. Research from Martin Seligman, aka the father of Positive Psychology, shows that the way we interpret stress can either empower us or weigh us down. Seligman identified two key ways people explain challenges to themselves—optimistically or pessimistically:

• Optimists view stress as temporary and manageable, seeing setbacks as specific challenges that can be overcome. For example, they might think, “This is tough, but I can get through it and learn something valuable.”
• Pessimists see stress as overwhelming and permanent, often internalising setbacks as reflections of their capabilities. They might think, “I’m always struggling with this. I’m just not cut out for it.”

In leadership, adopting an optimistic mindset can transform stress into a driving force that keeps you resilient and proactive. It’s about viewing challenges as opportunities to grow rather than as insurmountable obstacles.?

Psychologist and author of The Upside of Stress, Kelly McGonigal also emphasises that stress itself isn’t inherently bad—it’s how we perceive it. If we see stress as a challenge that can energise us, we’re more likely to harness its benefits. Additionally, McGonigal points out that when stress is connected to something meaningful—like your goals and values—it stops being a burden and becomes a stepping stone to growth.

2. Complete the Stress Cycle

According to Emily and Amelia Nagoski, authors of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, it’s not enough to just survive a stressful situation—you’ve got to signal to your brain that the storm has passed. This is key to stopping stress from settling in and overstaying its welcome.

How do you do it? Simple, powerful actions. A quick workout, a few deep breaths, or a good chat with a friend can send the message loud and clear: “We’re safe, it’s time to let go.”?

I explain this further in today’s Love Mondays.

As you head into the week: How are you and your team managing stress? Are you letting it pile up, or are you taking those small but mighty steps to keep it in check? Remember, you’ve got the tools to make stress work for you—not the other way around.

1. Be more optimistic: Challenge yourself to reframe a stressful situation this week. Instead of seeing it as a setback, view it as an opportunity to grow or learn something new.
2. Be more intentional: Schedule time for activities that help you complete the stress cycle, like a quick walk, a workout, or a meaningful conversation with a colleague or friend.
3. Be more connected: Reach out to a team member who might be feeling the pressure. A simple check-in can help them (and you) manage stress better.
4. Be more compassionate: Show yourself the same kindness you’d offer a friend. If things don’t go as planned, acknowledge the effort you’ve put in and give yourself permission to take a break.