Stress takes a toll on our body, mind and soul. Stress is triggered by external life events and small daily hassles. It comes from not only negative experiences. A positive experience such as a wedding or planned social event can add extra burden on our body system.

How does Stress react in our body? According to Harvard Medical School, ”The brain relays warnings to the muscles, which tighten, and to the adrenal glands, which release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones help your body prepare to fight or flee to safety: your heart pounds, blood pressure rises, and more of your blood is sent to your brain and muscles; your breath quickens to get more oxygen into your blood; and your body releases sugars and fats into the blood for energy.” The problem is when stress is chronic that can eventually lead to serious health conditions.

One main factor to mitigate the effects is how well we cope with stress. Are you looking at stress as a challenge or a problem? What is your mind frame? Is it positive or do you turn each event into a crisis? Turning a situation into a crisis exhausts our immune and energy which can lead to an inability to cope.

“Reframing'” a stressful situation can lessen the negative impact of daily hassles on your health and happiness. It can be difficult to stop rumination over a situation but having a positive mindset can offset the negative consequences. In short, reframing is altering the way we perceive a situation.

Ways to Reframe? Positive self-talk. Positive self-talk is also especially helpful in situations where we feel temporarily out of control. A sense of personal control is also key. Having personal control makes people feel independent and in charge of their lives. People who feel in control believe they can handle tough situations. They think of themselves as problem solvers and take steps to handle difficulties.

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