Stress: Training for Life
It’s a universal truth that life is full of stress. What you may not know is this: not all stress is bad. There are certainly stressors that have a negative presence, but every past, present, and future stressor plays a crucial role in our development and health.Stress can work to your advantage—helping you withstand pressure, take on new challenges, and even age gracefully—if you know how to use it.This pillar will guide you through which stressors to eliminate, which to embrace, and how to manage them effectively.Two Approaches to Manage StressThe main thing keeping us from seeing stress as an enhancer rather than an obstacle is finding balance between stress and all of the positive things going on in our lives.Within The Framework, we approach stress in two ways: proactive and reactive. Let’s learn about these approaches below.Proactive Training: Embracing Stress “Proactive” refers to the ways we train our mental resilience. This section is all about embracing stress as a catalyst for growth, ultimately enhancing your well-being and preparing your mind and body to thrive in the face of challenges.We’ll look at your stress musculature training your ‘mental muscle’ just as you would train physical muscles. You will learn to identify sources of stress and trauma, create a plan for growth, and understand your body’s signals and stress responses. You’ll also find that physical stimulations, such as high-intensity workouts or a sauna or ice bath, can help your body train for extreme situations in life.All of this work will prepare you to work in harmony with stress rather than in opposition.Reactive Training: Offsetting StressWhen we say “reactive,” we’re referring to how you can offset or reduce common sources of stress. This isn’t ignoring stress or the impact it has on your life; it’s acknowledging and moving through the stress using the tools available to you.Think of common moments like travel, workouts, or being sick. With the right mindset and preparation, we can move through these situations more positively.The trainings in this section will address strategies like hydration, pain management, and how to conduct self check-ins when sick. All of these strategies will equip you with the tools needed to lessen the impact of stress on your mind and body.Using Stress as a Tool for GrowthAs you now know, stress is not only an essential part of our lives, but a foundational part of our growth and development.Before you fully dive into this training, think of one major or recurring stressor in your life. Can you identify one positive thing you’ve learned or something good that has come out of this source of stress?As you learn to control your stress responses, you’ll find that experiences you previously viewed as setbacks or limitations can become areas of expansion. This expansion will propel you toward your goals as you work to develop the best version of yourself.