How to Thrive on Stress

Stress can actually be good for you, but it requires a change in perspective and deliberate action.

Successful people thrive on stress.

“Thrive,” after all, is the #1 synonym of “succeed.” And let’s face it: real life is full of stress. If you want to be successful and thrive in life, you need to be successful and thrive in the midst of stress.

Stress itself isn’t the problem. It’s a sign you have values and are trying to live up to them. Often, the things that stress you out are what make life worth living. For example, here are three signs you are thriving and (probably) experiencing stress:

1. You’re learning and growing.

Change is inherently stressful. Even good change. In fact, many of the most stressful life events are cause for celebration: Moving out and going to college! Getting a job! Marriage! Having a baby! Even winning the lottery is ranked as a super stressful event. So, what’s the answer? Don’t grow up? Don’t get a job? Don’t live life? Any time you stretch outside your comfort zone, you give your brain and body a reason to get angsty. But as you know (because you actually have lived life), stretching out of your comfort zone just makes it bigger. Over time, what once stressed you out becomes manageable, even routine.