Do This Under Times of Stress

"In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers." 

- Fred Rogers

Feeling stressed? Another wave has just hit your life.  

Drained again, it feels out of your hands, and you're unsure how to move forward—it’s just so overwhelming.  

What you do next in those moments is what makes all the difference... Do you ride the wave, or is that wave dragging you down each and every day?

Are you replaying that feeling of stress over and over again?

Leading to more of the same, and more of the same, creating a cycle.  

But do you know how to ride the wave, especially when the going gets tough?

What Is Your Highest Level of Training

Sick and tired of feeling stuck in this pattern of stress?  

What’s your highest level of training? As John Assaraf wisely said, "Under times of stress, you will revert back to your highest level of training."

In simple terms, how you have always handled stress will be how you continue to handle stress. What this means is that you will always experience the same amount of stress, or even more, until you learn and implement new techniques that bring about a different result in your life.

So where do you begin? How do you finally release the weight that stress has had on you for so long?  

First, answer this: Are You a Responder or Reactor?

Are you a reactor who crumbles under pressure, or a responder who maintains control and rises above the stress?

Take a moment to reflect deeply on this.

The responder or the reactor—who are you?

A Reactor to Stress:

• Sees the negative in every situation.

• Feels overwhelmed, anxious, and constantly stressed.

• Exhibits moodiness, irritability, or anger.

• Experiences feelings of isolation or withdrawal.

• May engage in unhealthy habits like overeating, excessive sleeping, or substance use.

A Responder to Stress:

• Maintains an optimistic and energetic outlook.

• Feels calm and centered, even under pressure.

• Manages negative emotions effectively.

• Practices empowering habits daily.

• Enjoys peace of mind, good rest, and high energy levels.

The key is to be honest with yourself, understand where you currently stand, and choose to make a breakthrough in your life now.

What Is The Cause vs React

If you find yourself reacting to stress rather than responding calmly, start by asking yourself:

• What is causing me to feel and act this way?

• What triggered this feeling?

• How can I stop replaying this pattern over and over again?

And finally, ask yourself: Is there a long-term solution instead of a short-term fix? There certainly is.

What are the best ways to rise above stress for the long term, not just a one-time fix?

Stress to Stressless

For many years, I, like many others, was a classic reactor—overwhelmed by panic attacks, caught in endless "what if" scenarios, and constantly drained by a mind that wouldn’t stop buzzing. The outside world felt like it was never going right.I was consumed by anxiety, often crying and unable to control my reactions to stress. Perhaps you're in that position too.

So, what’s the trick? After six years of committed action, I reached a breaking point and said, enough is enough. I refused to let stress control my life anymore. By incorporating powerful techniques and teachings into my daily routine—the ones I will be sharing—everything changed. I went from being a full-blown reactor, constantly overwhelmed by stress, to becoming a responder, calm and in control.

Now, every day, I feel empowered. The constant stress and overwhelm? Gone. I’m more productive, I’ve learned to reframe my thoughts, and most importantly, I’ve let go of the belief that "my life will never change" or that "I’ll always be a magnet for stress."

I am living proof that life can be stressless—and you too can transition from being trapped by stress to living a life with far less of it.

Path to Stressless

So, what can you do to make this shift in your life? It’s not about big, dramatic changes—it’s about small, intentional actions that you practice daily to achieve the results you desire.

Here are the best tips and tricks for handling stress. But remember, it’s not about practicing once—it’s about doing a little bit each day. Small, consistent actions lead to lasting transformation.

1. Practice Stillness

Stillness, you might say? Yes, stillness. It has been proven to reduce stress. You might be thinking, really? But take a moment and consider: when was the last time you paused in your life, rather than constantly going with the flow? In those moments of relentless activity, how did you feel? And when you did take a break, even just for a moment, how did you feel?

The key to overcoming stress is not always being on the go, but finding moments of peace and calm. This practice of stillness can help create the stress-free state you’re seeking.

Embrace stillness daily—not just once, but as a regular practice. Imagine this: your day is hectic, but for just 60 seconds, you close your eyes, breathe, and everything quiets down. You can feel that shift, can't you? That’s your power—right there in those few moments. The more you practice it, the more calm you'll experience.

Start small: dedicate one minute to mindful breathing each morning. Trust me, it will ripple through the rest of your day and transform your stress levels.

2. Start Your Day Right

What’s the first thing you do in the morning? Is it empowering or draining? Does it set the right tone for your day, or does it push you toward more stress? Understand that the first actions you take in the morning can significantly impact how the rest of your day unfolds. If you wake up worried, stressed, and overwhelmed, it's likely your day will reflect those feelings. Why? Because what you focus on will always expand.

Consider flipping your morning routine to something more empowering. Start with one small, positive action. One empowering step can lead to another, creating a chain reaction of positivity. The key is to begin with activities that energize and uplift you, rather than depleting your energy.

Try it for 100 days and see how it transforms your daily experience.

What is one small action step you can start to take today?

3. Reframe Your Story

When you feel stressed, what are you telling yourself? "This can’t get better, it keeps getting worse, why are they acting like this, this is all my fault, why are they being so difficult, here we go again, I can’t do this—it’s just too much."

Know this: the story you keep telling yourself shapes your reality and will continue to manifest in your life. But what if you practiced shifting your mindset into an empowered state and reframing your thoughts?

Instead of

• "I can't," try asking "How can I?"

• Replace "It’s all my fault" with "There is always a solution."

• Change "Here we go again" to "How can I make this easier?

• Ask How can I make progress? What can I do to recharge so that I can recalibrate?"

You see, the meaning you give to any situation determines the outcome. Change your meaning, change your feelings, and, as my dear friend John Assaraf always says, change your life.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

So, what’s the best lesson for overcoming stress once and for all? It’s about committing to the process and realizing that it doesn’t work overnight. Remember when you first tried to ride a bike or learn to speak? Did you give up after your first attempt? No. When you practiced public speaking, it didn’t happen overnight either. Everything you practice daily and consistently becomes part of who you are.

If you truly desire to overcome stress, practice, practice, practice until it becomes the new you. Start today, even if it’s just 2 minutes a day. Over time, you’ll notice you’re less reactive and more in control. And that feeling? It’s worth every second.

Empowering Yourself Against Stress

Become more of a responder than a reactor, and your life will thank you for it in the long run. Stop letting the notion of “this is how it is” hold you back. Take it one day at a time and watch incredible breakthroughs happen in your life.

Take action today. Set aside time to develop the skills and habits that will elevate your ability to handle stress. Each small step you take builds towards a more resilient and fulfilling life.

Do it. Take inspired action toward a stress-less life and reap the rewards.

The calm and peace you seek are also seeking you.

Sefika Evliya