“When you choose to view your stress response as helpful…you create the biology of courage.  And when you choose to connect with others under stress…you create resilience.” – From Kelly McGonigal:  “How To Make Stress Your Friend” 2013

Today everyone seems to be negatively impacted by stress.  Whether it’s generated by family issues, job concerns and/or the challenges that arise from daily life events….stress is a component.  Also it does not seem to be more age related or specific to a certain type of employment situation.  Rather the common statement that is reported is:  “Man…I am really stressed-out today!”

If you refer back to the statement by author and speaker Kelly McGonigal at the beginning of this TRIPLE III TIME message…you quickly realize that it is UP-TO-YOU on how to view and respond to stress.

Think real hard about this Stress & Creativity:  Opposites Attract opportunity.  When I think about my stresses and approaches on “How To Make Stress Your Friend”…a bunch of personal examples come to mind.

• Allow stress to be a performance motivator.
• Accept that stress is a natural occurrence and can/should be handled so personal and/or professional improvement is the goal.
• Engage stress as an opportunity to gain problem-solving skills.
• Consider sharing your stress feelings with others you trust to expand the course of regular friendships.
• Utilize stress to develop your ability to better focus during challenging times.

These are just a few examples of transitioning stressful times over to options and opportunities to make you stronger in many ways.  Remember ultimately it is YOUR choice to negatively or CREATIVELY handle stress.