Stress Relief Tip - Your Perception Is Your Reality
Professor Pete’s Stress Management Tools
Helping Hard-Driving Leaders Protect Their Health And Handle Challenging Situations With Grace And Success.
Have you ever gotten stressed just thinking about a particular situation, only to find out later it was no big deal? This used to happen to me all the time. More recently, I was enlightened to the fact that how we perceive the world around us becomes our reality, even if that reality is indeed false.
For example, if we think something is going to be stressful, we manifest that anxiety internally and we exert energy to deal with that negative thought without knowing the true facts. What we have done is change our actions based on what we think might be the outcome, when the situation may not be stressful at all.
Another example of this phenomenon is when you are running late. Have you noticed that when you are rushing, you are more likely to hit red lights instead of green lights? Or that you can’t find your car keys, wallet, etc. when you know you need to be leaving? Every negative reaction we have to the fact that we are running late adds to our anxiety, and we become frazzled with each minute more that we are delayed.
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Conversely, “perception is reality” also works when there is a positive in your life. For example, if you are in the market for a new car, or just bought one, have you noticed that you see more of that same make and model than you did before? It isn’t that more people are magically driving that model, it’s that you now notice those vehicles on the road more because your perception has changed.
When a problem occurs that you perceive as a big deal, ask yourself the following question: will this matter 5 years from now? Or even 5 weeks from now? Or 5 days from now? Honestly, think about that for a minute and you will notice your stress level coming way down as your perception likely changes as reality sets in.
Please note that there is no guarantee a particular stress relief tool will work for you. Thus you must take complete responsibility for using them and for your own physical and emotional wellbeing. Further, Professor Pete Alexander is not a licensed health professional. Please consult qualified health practitioners regarding your use of any stress relief technique. Medical advice must only be obtained from a physician or qualified health practitioner.