{"id":76158,"date":"2024-12-10T21:07:41","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T13:07:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/?p=76158"},"modified":"2025-01-27T21:05:04","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T13:05:04","slug":"newsletter-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/newsletter-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"How a simple mindset shift turns stress into your secret weapon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hi there,

Let\u2019s be honest\u2014this time of year can feel like trying to sprint a marathon that started back in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanksgiving leftovers are barely gone, and suddenly we\u2019re juggling year-end deadlines, holiday parties, and the gift-buying pressure. It\u2019s no wonder December often feels like a swirling vortex of burnout.

But what if I told you there\u2019s a way to flip the script on stress?

Today, I want to share an insight that could completely rewire how you handle stress\u2014not just during the holiday madness, but in life overall. It\u2019s backed by science and so simple that it might just blow your mind.

And the best part? It\u2019s already working for people like you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experiment that proved stress can be your ally<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Picture this: 2 groups of students, both facing high-stakes situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Group 1 is about to play a major sports game. They\u2019re nervous\u2014but in a good way. Their hearts are racing, adrenaline is surging, but they feel ready to crush it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Group 2 is preparing for a huge exam. It’s the same adrenaline, the same rapid heartbeats\u2014but instead of confidence, they feel dread, panic, and even a mental shutdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Same body response, two wildly different outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This got psychologist Jeremy Jamieson wondering: What if it\u2019s not the stress itself, but how we interpret it that makes the difference?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, Jamieson ran an experiment. He handed a simple note to half the students taking the GRE (the academic version of climbing Mount Everest):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople think that feeling anxious while taking a standardized test will make them do poorly on the test. However, recent research suggests that arousal doesn\u2019t hurt performance on these tests and can even help performance\u2014people who feel anxious during a test might actually do better. This means that you shouldn\u2019t feel concerned if you do feel anxious while taking today\u2019s GRE test. If you find yourself feeling anxious, simply remind yourself that your arousal could be helping you do well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results were jaw-dropping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The students who didn\u2019t get the note scored 706. But those who read the tiny note? They scored 770. That\u2019s a 9% boost\u2014just by reframing how they thought about stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why this matters for you<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This study reveals something extraordinary: stress isn\u2019t the villain it\u2019s made out to be. It\u2019s how we perceive stress that determines whether it drags us down or lifts us up.

Stress boils down to two factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Biochemistry<\/strong>\u2014the physical sensations (racing heart, sweaty palms, adrenaline).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Belief<\/strong>\u2014the story you tell yourself about what those sensations mean.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    When you see stress as harmful, it drains you. But when you view it as a sign of your body gearing up for greatness, it becomes your secret weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rewiring your relationship with stress<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s dive into the tools that can help you turn stress into your ally:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Reframe stress in real-time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Here are two powerful Mindvalley programs to get you started. Both are part of your Mindvalley membership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Program<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The 5 Elements of Happiness by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Tal is one of the most sought-after professors of positive psychology and used to be one of Harvard\u2019s leading professors. In this Quest, he dives deep into how we can cultivate happiness\u2014even in the face of challenges. If burnout is your main concern, skip to Chapter 5. This section focuses on recovery techniques that will help you bounce back from stress, reset your energy, and find joy again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Transform stress<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Program<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Calm Mind by Dr. Caroline Leaf\u2028<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    If your stress feels like it\u2019s spiraling into anxiety or affecting your mental health, Dr. Leaf\u2019s program is essential. She specializes in neuroplasticity\u2014how you can literally rewire your brain to handle stress differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Try Calm Mind<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Tap Into your subconscious<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Stress patterns often hide in your subconscious. That\u2019s why tools like hypnotherapy can make a huge difference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Meditation<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Hypnotic Trance for Bliss by Paul McKenna<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019ve mentioned this audio before, but it\u2019s worth repeating. Paul\u2019s hypnotherapy session uses cutting-edge sound technology to rewire your subconscious mind. It\u2019s like a master reset for your stress response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019ve personally seen how just seven days of listening can dramatically shift how you experience stress. You\u2019ll start feeling calmer, more balanced, and better equipped to handle whatever life throws your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Listen to this on the Mindvalley app and make sure you listen with headphones as it uses unique sound patterns to rewire your brain in 23 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Listen now<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Support your body<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Stress isn\u2019t just mental\u2014it\u2019s physical. To truly thrive, you need to support your body too. Here\u2019s a list of the most important supplements to help you. I crafted this list with the help of Shawn Wells, one of the leading supplement scientists in the world today and the author of The Ultimate Guide to Supplements on Mindvalley. \u2028\u2028Here\u2019s Shawn\u2019s advice on the Top Ten Supplements for Releasing Stress, Avoiding Burnout and deepening relaxation. The rating is based on their effectiveness on a score of 1 to 10 compared to other similarly studied supplements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Adaptogens<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    1. Ashwagandha (9\/10)\u2028
    Advantage:<\/strong> Lowers cortisol, enhances energy, and boosts resilience to stress. Highly effective for overall stress management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      2. Rhodiola Rosea (8\/10)\u2028
      Advantage:<\/strong> Reduces mental fatigue and enhances physical and emotional resilience. Ideal for those dealing with exhaustion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      3. Holy Basil (8\/10)\u2028
      Advantage:<\/strong> Balances mood, reduces anxiety, and supports emotional well-being while strengthening immunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Nervous system support<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      4. Magnesium (10\/10)\u2028
      Advantage: <\/strong>A go-to for calming the nervous system, reducing muscle tension, and improving sleep. Glycinate is best for relaxation; L-Threonate for brain health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      5. L-Theanine (9\/10)\u2028
      Advantage:<\/strong> Provides calm focus by increasing alpha brain waves. Perfect for daytime stress relief without causing drowsiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      6. GABA (8\/10)\u2028
      Advantage:<\/strong> Reduces acute anxiety and promotes calmness. Ideal for quick relaxation during overwhelming moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Mood regulation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      7. Vitamin B Complex (8\/10)\u2028
      Advantage<\/strong>: Boosts energy, supports neurotransmitter function, and combats stress-related fatigue and burnout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      8. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (9\/10)\u2028<\/strong>
      Advantage:<\/strong> Reduces inflammation and supports emotional stability. Excellent for chronic stress and mood management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      9. 5-HTP (8\/10)\u2028<\/strong>
      Advantage:<\/strong> Helps produce serotonin, regulating mood and improving sleep. Great for emotional stability and stress-related insomnia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Other beneficial supplements<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      10. CBD Oil (9\/10)\u2028
      Advantage:<\/strong> Reduces anxiety quickly and promotes relaxation without psychoactive effects. Effective for both acute and chronic stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      You can buy any of the above on your local online or real world pharmacy. Just know that CBD is yet to be legal in some countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Finally, Shawn and I developed our own brand of supplement to help with stress. It\u2019s called ZEN and is an intelligent stack of multiple ingredients that combine to create a deep restful state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"Zen<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      That\u2019s where Zen by Mindvalley<\/strong> comes in, crafted with top-notch ingredients like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n