There is absolutely no doubt that leaders are in a stressful position. Stress can be beneficial in small doses, but an overwhelming amount of stress can negatively impact our physical and mental health. Insomnia, depression, anxiety, appetite changes, and digestion issues...the list doesn’t end there. While we may thrive with a reasonable amount of stress injected into our daily lives, what do we do when that stress proves too much to handle healthily?
Psychologists refer to a concept called stress resilience.
Now, make no mistake — stress resilience is not the avoidance of stressful factors nor is it pushing through them in a “grin and bear it” sort of way. No, think of stress resilience as the most effective and beneficial ways to manage stress.
We’re not looking to reduce our stress, but we’re looking to respond in productive ways that result in thriving, not failing.
So how do the best leaders increase their stress resilience?
4 Ways to Grow Your Stress Resilience
1) Change How You See Crises
When we’re already under pressure and stress, it’s very easy to see any given problem as unsolvable, insurmountable, and unfixable. How we view these crises is paramount in how we will be able to cope with stress. It’s so critical that we, especially in a position of leadership, are able to see beyond the problems of today. Even if they are big problems with heavy consequences, reorienting your view can help you not only overcome but make it through without being crushed under the stress of it all.
It’s not so much about seeing the bright side and it is more about tackling your problems with the knowledge that life will go on. No problem is so big that it will end everything.
For us, we have to not only believe in a better future, but believe that it will be better and beneficial even in the face of problems and failures. It’s difficult to be thankful for these things in the moment, but recognizing growth opportunities in times of crisis while acknowledging the possibility of future success even in the face of these crises greatly impacts our stress levels in a positive way.
Every stressful situation is an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
2) Be Decisive
When faced with large, complex problems, many of us have the instinct to turn inward. We will shut down, resort to denial and isolation, rather than face the problem head-on and embrace the stress. Listen, no one wants to do it. While a minimal amount of stress can be engaging, even inspiring, too much is just a burden we would rather not deal with.
Procrastination, in turn, increases our stress over time. What we must do is practice decisiveness in the face of stressors.
Introspection can be helpful, but too much of an inward focus inhibits our ability to take action that resolves the stressor. We must be decisive and focus not on our feelings or the daunting nature of the problem, but on actionable steps.
3) Refocus Your Perspective
For leaders, perspective is a big part of not only stress management but success. How many of us would have given up long ago if we saw our problems as never-ending and undefeatable? What we must do is alter our perspective. In the moment, we can focus on short-term problems and their effects while neglecting the big picture, the big plan, and the grand scheme of things.
We have to have that long-term view in order to survive. We can’t see seasons of struggle as enduring. Tackle these growing pains and problems with a mind geared towards future success through the present struggle.
4) Nurture Optimism
If we’re honest, we tend to bend towards pessimism. We’re told to expect the best and prepare for the worst, but many times, all we consider is the worst-case scenario. While risk management and preparedness are key, we can’t allow the pessimism that can come from these considerations to rule our emotions or decision-making.
Optimism is undeniably better for our mental and emotional health. This isn’t to say that we ignore problems and their consequences, but it is to say that we look for positive opportunities, teaching moments, and areas of growth within these stressful situations.
Optimism is more about optimizing your strengths and playing to them. You know you’re good at things. Use it to your advantage.
How has your stress resilience grown over the years? Share your key takeaways in the comments.