What is the difference between a successful person and one who is constantly struggling?..

No, it’s neither luck nor timing.

The single most crucial difference between a person who consistently succeeds in his endeavors and the one who is constantly struggling is – their ability to handle stress.

Everybody goes through stress at some point in their lives. In today’s living conditions, stress is as much a part of the lived experience…as breathing. It’s practically unavoidable.

Then why is it that some people are better at managing stress while others still struggle?

Managing Stress – Part 1

It’s because of the body’s coping mechanism to be able to self-soothe.

Some people are just better equipped to self-soothe themselves. Maybe because of their personality, their disposition, or through the experiences they have had growing up.

But what if you fall in the other half of that demographic?

What if you practically fall prey to your stress and anxiety and turn into a molten mass every time stress triggers? Is it possible to develop and cultivate the ability to self-soothe your body and mind during times of anxiety and stress?

Certainly! With the right tools and support, one can train the mind and body to self-soothe when anxiety triggers and stress starts manifesting itself within vital faculties.

Self-soothing is indeed a valuable technique for managing stress and emotions. It involves using various strategies to comfort and calm oneself during times of distress or discomfort. This can include deep breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, engaging in enjoyable activities, or using sensory experiences like listening to music or taking a warm bath. Finding what works best for you is key to effectively self-soothing.

One very important factor that can influence how effectively a person self-soothes is their level of self-awareness.

Understanding one’s emotions, triggers, and coping mechanisms allows for more targeted and efficient self-soothing. Additionally, having a strong support system and access to resources for managing stress can also play a significant role in enhancing one’s ability to self-soothe.

Here are some ways to develop self-awareness and cultivate self-soothing mechanisms:

1. Mindfulness Practices: Engage in mindfulness meditation, yoga, or other mindful activities to become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations.

2. Journaling: Keep a journal to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Writing can help you gain insights into patterns and triggers that contribute to stress.

3. Self-Reflection: Set aside time for regular self-reflection to examine your values, goals, and behaviors. Ask yourself questions about what brings you joy, what causes stress, and how you respond to challenges.

4. Seek Feedback: Ask trusted friends, family members, or mentors for feedback on your strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. Their perspectives can offer valuable insights into areas for personal growth.

5. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially during times of stress. Practice compassionate self-talk and recognize that it’s okay to struggle sometimes.

6. Explore Coping Strategies: Experiment with different self-soothing techniques such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or engaging in hobbies and activities that bring you joy.

7. Set Boundaries: Learn to identify and assert your boundaries in relationships and situations that contribute to stress. Saying no when necessary and prioritizing self-care can help prevent burnout.

8. Professional Support: Consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor if you’re struggling to manage stress or develop self-awareness. A trained professional can offer guidance and tools tailored to your specific needs.

By incorporating these practices into your routine, you can gradually enhance your self-awareness and develop effective self-soothing mechanisms to handle everyday stress more effectively.

Once the body is trained to self-soothe the right faculties start working on their own during times of anxiety and trigger moments. The body’s defense mechanisms kick in and self-soothing happens pretty much involuntarily.

So in a day and age where stress is the only constant in our ever-expanding lives, why run away from it?

Every stressful experience is a lesson. So why not handle stress and learn from

It?

Let’s deal with our stress better.