Successful individuals are often more prone to high levels of stress than others. You’ve likely got a lot on your shoulders or work in a high-pressure situation. Whether you’re an attorney, a doctor, or a business executive, success often comes with a price. Thankfully, you don’t have to give up a successful career or lifestyle to be able to manage your stress. By implementing a few healthy and effective changes in your life and adopting habits that help to reduce stress, you can enjoy your success without compromising your mental health.
Not sure where to start? Let’s cover a few strategies you can start using right away to manage your stress on a daily basis.
Identify Your Stressors
When you reach a high level of success, there are countless things in your life that trigger stress. Maybe it’s long hours at work. Maybe you feel guilt over not spending more time with loved ones. Or, it could be the pressure of maintaining a certain level of success that’s the driving stressor for you. Whatever the case, it’s essential to identify those stressors—no matter how big or small. Having a basic understanding of what’s causing your issues is the first step toward overcoming those problems.
You might not be able to completely change your circumstances or situation. However, there are undoubtedly some things you can do to reduce your exposure or change the way you interact with those stressors. For example, if you work long hours and it’s taking its toll, consider how you might be able to boost your flexibility and strike a healthier work-life balance.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care isn’t selfish, nor does it have to be something lavish or extreme. By practicing self-care every day, you can learn to manage your stress levels and actually do something good for your mind and body.
It won’t take long for your acts of self-care to turn into healthy daily habits if you’re willing to commit. They might include things like:
Exercising
Eating healthy meals
Prioritizing sleep
Socializing with friends and family
You can also practice self-care techniques that are specifically designed to reduce stress. Things like mindfulness, meditation, and yoga are all fantastic ways to do something good for yourself while making it easier to manage your stress levels. These things can help you focus on the present moment rather than wondering or worrying about what’s to come. Even in high-stress situations, a few minutes of mindfulness can bring you back to reality and offer a blanket of calm that makes it easier to stay focused.
Get Help When You Need It
As the old saying goes, “it’s lonely at the top.” However, no matter how successful you are, you don’t have to rely solely on your own efforts to manage stress. Lean on your support system to help manage the symptoms of stress. Even if you just need someone to talk to or vent about what you’re dealing with, don’t discount the people in your life. Your family and friends will be more than happy to help you and hold you accountable with some of the management techniques listed here.
If you feel like you’re really struggling and your stress is getting the best of you, consider reaching out for professional help. Therapy is often the best way to uncover the root cause(s) of your stress and learn how to manage them effectively. When you’re highly successful in life, it’s not uncommon to feel like you have to do everything yourself. However, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to manage stress on your own. Feel free to contact me to set up an appointment soon.
Jennifer Perera is a mom of two boys, a spouse and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is also Certified as a Perinatal Mental Health Professional by Postpartum Support International. She has a private practice in Springfield, New Jersey and also sees clients throughout New Jersey , New York, and Pennsylvania via telehealth. Her passion is helping new moms and dads find their joy again in parenthood through individual and couples counseling. She also runs workshops for new parents, teaching them techniques and strategies to help them have a stronger relationship - built to thrive during the parenthood years. Jennifer specializes in working with parents during the prenatal and postpartum periods and those coping with grief or loss issues surrounding pregnancy.