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As we explore change, we must acknowledge that with change comes stress. And accepting change also implies adapting to it. You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you react. As often as this saying is repeated, it’s much easier said than done. In the thick of bad news, being told “you can control how you react,” rarely helps the situation –especially when it doesn’t feel true. It can be incredibly challenging to come to terms with difficult situations. Dark clouds settle on all our heads eventually, and sometimes it’s the same dark cloud over everyone’s head. This week’s blog will cover the Stress Management composite of Emotional Intelligence (EQ), discuss Stress Tolerance specifically, and finally how we can make the most of a bad situation.
The Stress Management composite of the EQ-i 2.0 is the perfect blueprint to deal with dark clouds. It is the combination of three distinct EQ elements: Flexibility, Stress Tolerance, and Optimism. Each of these elements, in their own way, measure our ability to respond to the world around us. Flexibility is adapting emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to unfamiliar, unpredictable, and dynamic circumstances or ideas. Stress Tolerance involves coping with stressful or difficult situations and believing that you can manage or influence situations in a positive manner. And Optimism is an indicator of your positive attitude and outlook on life. It involves remaining hopeful and resilient, despite setbacks. Understanding and developing these elements can transform how we navigate life’s challenges, and a simple yet powerful illustration of this is found in a memorable piece of advice from a Navy Seal Admiral:
Make your bed every morning.
“If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It may give you a small sense of pride, and the encouragement and momentum necessary to complete another task. At the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned to many tasks completed… And if by chance, you have a miserable day, you will come home to a made bed.”
This is a great example of Stress Management. High engagement with Stress Management doesn’t mean we don’t experience stress, but rather that we have effective strategies to continue living our lives when things get tough.
As with all things EQ, the value in Stress Management is our ability to take matters into our own hands and to choose a behavior that deals well with the situation we are in. There are several things we can do to practice Stress Management. Most importantly, remember that you are most able to tolerate stress when you are well rested, fit, and healthy. Eating well, going for a walk outside, and getting good sleep are all incredibly valuable steps to take. Taking dedicated and scheduled times to disengage from the stress is a great—and even essential—way to take care of yourself. These things won’t erase stress immediately, but you know the idiom: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
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Interested in learning more about EQ or Holiday Stress Management?
Join us for an upcoming webinar!
The holiday season is fast approaching, and with it comes a mix of joy, stress, and emotionally-charged conversations. OKA would like to extend further opportunities for folks to expand their toolkit with our ‘Tis the Season for EQ Webinar. This webinar will be on Tuesday, November 26th, from 1-2pm EST, free of charge. Whether you are a seasoned EQ practitioner or are brand new to the world of EQ, join OKA’s Hile Rutledge in this practical, engaging webinar. We’ll discuss key strategies, behaviors, and practices that can help us to navigate even the trickiest holiday conversations – and make this season more peaceful and enjoyable for everyone.
To register for OKA’s ‘Tis the Season EQ Webinar, please fill out the form below. We hope to see you there!
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