It’s very common to say there are two sides to the same coin. This is usually said when you have two people arguing their point to a specific shared situation. If you only hear one side, you’re not getting the full picture. Well, when it comes to our reaction to a stressful situation, there are two sides or choices we can make. 1) Perceive it as only negative or 2) Perceive the positives that also exist. Yes, you can see positives in a negative. Doing so helps your health and well-being.
What is perception? How can you see positives in a negative? How does that help with lowering stress?
WHAT PERCEPTION MEANS
Perception is our interpretation of the events and circumstances we encounter. In other words, it’s the choice we have our brain make when presented with something, someone, or a situation that we view as stressors. Our mind makes the decision to view it as a negative or a positive. However, we can pause our thoughts and think of what good this stressor could do for us. It’s like pulling out the weeds before they take over the garden. We want to pull out those negative thoughts before they take root and our stress level escalates.
WHY USE IT TO MANAGE STRESS
Stress is not solely a reaction to external events, but rather to our interpretation of those events. The same situation can cause different reactions in different people, depending on how they perceive it. For example, a job interview may cause intense anxiety for one person but excitement and opportunity for another. This difference is largely due to varying perceptions—one person might view the interview as a threat to their career prospects if they fail, while another sees it as a chance to showcase their skills and grow professionally. It’s a choice.
We are in control of our thoughts. This means we can stop our thinking from making what we are dealing with become overly stressful. Stop the stress before it starts. I will admit right away that this is not easy. With practice and determination, you can start thinking of the good in your situation instead of straight to negative. Let’s find out the ways we can do this. I’m sure you will find one or two that appeal to you.
HOW TO HAVE A POSITIVE PERCEPTION
Challenge Negative Thoughts. When you notice a negative or stressful thought, ask yourself if it’s based on facts or assumptions. Try to reframe it in a more balanced or positive way. Such as, ask yourself, How can I view this differently? Or, What good could come out of this?
Practice gratitude: Reflect on what’s going well in your life and the things you appreciate, even during stressful times. Use a gratitude journal each day to see wonderful results.
Use positive affirmations: Words are very powerful. Replace self-defeating thoughts with empowering ones like, “I can handle this,” or, “This is an opportunity for growth.” Write your affirmation down and say it out loud to give it more power.
Focus on what you can control: Direct your energy toward actions and decisions within your control rather than worrying about external factors. Doing something about what you can control makes you feel like all is not lost.
Stay present/Mindful: Incorporate mindfulness practices to remain grounded in the current moment rather than worrying about future outcomes. When we focus on the here and now, we’re less likely to feel like it’s the end of the world or overthink situations that may never happen. Add some deep breathing techniques to get even more out your mindfulness.
IN CONCLUSION
Our perception has a profound influence on how we experience stress. By learning to shift our perspective, we can reduce the intensity of stress, build resilience, and approach life’s challenges with a greater sense of calm and control. Whether through reframing our negative thoughts, adopting a growth mindset of what benefit you can get out of the situation, practicing mindfulness, or cultivating gratitude, we can transform stress from a negative force into a catalyst for personal growth and fulfillment. Pull the weeds of negative perceptions out of our minds and plant the beautiful seeds of positivity instead. It’s your choice what kind of garden your mind will be. Choose flowers.
Many of the techniques discussed in this post are discussed on this site. For your convenience, here is a list. Just click the one you want and you will be taken to that post.
GRATITUDE
MINDFULNESS
AFFIRMATIONS
GROUNDING
BREATHING TECHNIQUE
Stress Less Today 
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