Managing stress comes down to understanding - and solving - what therapist Megan Bruneau calls the stress equation. According to Bruneau, stress is the result of thinking that your perceived responsibilities are greater than your perceived capacity to take them on.
In this workshop, Bruneau tells us how to change those perceptions to manage stress, whether it originates at the office or elsewhere. From understanding that you can’t do everything yourself to taking time to boost your mood, Bruneau identifies concrete ways to help you de-stress and more confidently handle life’s messiness.
Key Takeaways:
Learn to Say No: You don’t have to do everything on your own—and some things you just can’t do Enjoy Imperfection: Doing things perfectly isn’t expected or possible, so give yourself room to be imperfect Prioritize Self-Care: Your physical well-being plays a big part in how successful you are in managing stress About the Mentor:
Megan Bruneau is a therapist, executive coach, writer, and speaker who’s been called the “millennials’ therapist” for her direct and relatable approach to counseling. She hosts the Failure Factor podcast and is the author of How to Be Alone (and Together): 72 Lessons on Being at Peace With Yourself.
I think this book is a good start. The book starts with self reflection and letting go of perfectionism. After finding stating your priorities, a few examples are given on how you can achieve sat goals and work to eliminate certain blockers. This book gives examples that would involve taking action over one’s self or actions, but others books could be needed for those unsure of how really act on the examples given. Overall I think that it gives solid advice on the importance of self compassion and a balanced like… it just is not the deep dive that others might need. I recommend seeking out books on communication and time management to further points made in this book.
I like that the author made time to differentiate between good and bad stress and between what we can control and what is out of control based on perception, demographics, and responsibilities in life.
This is definitely a good book for anyone reporting to a regular job, whether you're teleworking or in a physical office. It's a quick read/listen but is replete with helpful, actionable tips. I enjoyed how the author breaks down stress simply and logically, stating that stress is your body telling you that you can't continue operating the way you are currently. What resonated with me most is the advice to ask for help, say no (and not feel bad about it), and to have self-compassion.