Stress is often perceived as a negative force to be avoided or eliminated. However, stress is more than just an unpleasant sensation—it’s a signal. It’s the body’s way of saying, “Something needs to happen.” Understanding this signal and what it’s pointing toward can transform stress from a burden into a powerful motivator for meaningful change.

The Physiology of Stress

When you encounter stress, your body engages its fight-or-flight response. Also called the sympathetic nervous system. Stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are released, preparing your body to take action. Your heart rate increases, your breathing quickens, and your body becomes primed for movement. This physiological state is not inherently bad—it’s an adaptive mechanism designed to help you face challenges.

But here’s the catch: stress hormones are meant to spark action. If the signal is ignored or misinterpreted, the stress lingers, becoming chronic. Chronic stress doesn’t just wear down the body—it clouds the mind, making it harder to think creatively, solve problems, and resolve the stressfull situation. It’s easy to get into a feedback loop that leads to being stuck in an a bad situation.

So, when stress arises, it’s vital to ask:

• What have I been putting up with?
• What is the stress trying to motivate?
• What action is needed to resolve the situation?
• What’s getting in my way?
• How true are my reasons for not taking action?

The Source of Stress: Is It Environmental, Relational, or Habitual?

Stress doesn’t occur in a vacuum. It’s often rooted in specific aspects of our lives, such as:

1. Environmental Factors

A toxic work environment, cluttered home, or noisy surroundings can overstimulate your stress response. If the physical environment is the issue, action might involve creating a calmer space, reducing sensory overload, or even changing locations.

2. Relational Stress

Conflicts with others, poor communication, or a lack of supportive relationships can drive stress levels up. If relationships are the source, the solution might involve setting boundaries, seeking connection, addressing unresolved issues, or distancing.

3. Work and Purpose

A misalignment between your work and your values, skills, or passions can create ongoing stress. In this case, the needed action could be redefining your role, seeking new opportunities, or setting clear career goals.

4. Habitual Stressors

Sometimes, our own habits exacerbate stress. Procrastination, overcommitment, or poor health practices can keep the stress cycle spinning. Identifying and adjusting these habits is a powerful way to lower stress and improve resilience. How we use our attention is a big one that can constantly feed our stress level.

Stress as a Catalyst for Change

Stress isn’t the enemy—it’s a messenger. It’s normal to our physiological makeup. It can’t be ignored because it is deeply wired in to how the brain functions. The problem arises when we try to silence the messenger without addressing the message. Practices like relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and exercise are invaluable, not just because they reduce stress in the moment, but because they create the mental space to think clearly about what action is needed.

When you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself:

1. What is the stress telling me to pay attention to?
2. What in my environment, relationships, work, or habits needs to change?
3. What small, manageable steps can I take to resolve the stressor?

The Role of Relaxation

Relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing aren’t just about “calming down.” They help lower the intensity of your stress response, enabling your brain to shift from survival mode into creative problem-solving. This is the moment where insights arise, and you can move from reaction to intentional action. This primes you to make the choices and take the actions necessary to resolve the stressor.

Turning Stress Into Momentum

Stress is a motivator, but the key is understanding what it’s motivating you to do. Sometimes, the action required is external—changing environments, addressing a relationship, or finding new work. Other times, it’s internal—shifting your mindset, adjusting habits, or seeking support. More often it’s a combination of changes in your external and internal environments.

By treating stress as a signal and acting on its message, you turn what feels like a burden into a source of strength and transformation. You shift your relationship with stress.

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” – Sun Tzu