Managing the Stress of Success
You may think that once you reach a certain level of success, stress can no longer affect your life. Unfortunately, this line of thinking is not true. Successful people still feel stress, perhaps just in different ways.
If you find yourself in the position of someone with a high level of success, congratulations! I applaud you and your achievements. However, it is completely normal to still be feeling stressed out in this position.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to manage this stress. Keep reading for a few tips and tricks on how you can get your stress levels under control.
Why does success cause high stress?
It is a cliche for a reason: with great power comes great responsibility. This, in its essence, is why success causes such stress in our lives. Having higher levels of responsibility causes more things to pile up on your plate. This, in turn, creates more and more things to stress out about.
Being so successful also causes you to fear losing this success. You may be afraid that the high achievements you have worked so hard for may be taken from you at any time. Upon achieving the high levels of success you have acquired, celebrate yourself. You deserve it! Do not give into imposter syndrome, or the worry that you are undeserving. Take time to revel in your achievements.
How stress impacts your life
Stress can impact almost every aspect of your life, from your emotional health to physical health. Due to the fact that it is so all-encompassing, it makes it even more important to get your stress levels under control quickly and efficiently.
Sometimes, you may be living with extreme stress and not even realize that you are suffering from it. Here are some of the physical manifestations of stress you may have noticed in your life:
Difficulty sleeping or spells of insomnia
Headaches or migraines
Rapid heartbeat or an aching chest
Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth
Nausea, constipation, or other gastrointestinal issues
Decreased libido
In addition to the physical effects of stress, you may have also noticed a change in your behavior or thoughts. Keep a lookout for the following changes, as they may be a symptom of stress.
Increased irritability or being agitated
Feelings of anxiety or depression
Reluctance to see your family and friends
Lack of joy in activities that once brought you joy
Methods to manage your stress
Now that you have noticed the stress you may be dealing with, you can start taking steps to alleviate it. The next tips are great paths you can take to relieve your stress levels.
Set strong boundaries and stick to them: Rather than prioritizing work at all times, begin to prioritize time with friends and family. Leave work at work so your personal life can stay personal.
Look for the positive: While dealing with stress, it may be easy to only see the downside to things. Take the time to truly view the position you are in and the goals you have achieved. A version of yourself in the past would be so proud of where you are now.
Focus on the big picture: Sometimes, the little things are what cause the most stress. In instances like this, think about how you and your position factor into the big picture of life. Ultimately, it is probably not the end of the world.
One of the final ways you can get your stress under control is by leaning on your support network. Therapy is a great asset you can add to your support network.
Seeking the help of a trained professional is not a sign of weakness but a sign of great strength, and frankly, success. I hope you take the time to prioritize your own health and reach out to me today for Work Stress Therapy.