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There are many tips, techniques, and suggestions out there on how to reduce and manage stress. In fact, it seems that the topic of stress management grows more popular every day. I myself have been writing extensively about these various techniques here on ArticlesBase, as well as on my own personal website, mentioned at the bottom.

Many of these stress management methods are indeed very helpful and can reduce stress significantly. I know this because I’ve been using them myself for a while. However, neither of these techniques actually solve the actual issue, do they? They are more like treatments of the effects of a problem rather than solutions to the problem itself.

Sure, you can meditate, perform breathing exercises, take nature walks, exercise, and do a hundred other things which help you relax and manage your stress, but isn’t there anything that we can do to reduce stress overall? Usually what happens is that you feel stressed, and only then, you take the necessary steps to reduce the stress. So if you are stressed right now, you might do a breathing exercise which will calm you down. However, wouldn’t it be great if you knew how to not get stressed in the first place?

When someone takes one of those doctors’ prescribed anti-depressant pills, it makes that person permanently (at least while taking the drug) calmer and less prone to stress. The drug basically brings the stress level down, making you more relaxed, plain and simple.

My point is this: how great would it be if we didn’t need these drugs and could trigger this kind of relaxation naturally within ourselves? The funny thing is – we can, and it’s easier than you might think.

The key to an overall stress relief is one simple concept – perspective. That’s right folks, your perspective, your take on life, your view of things is what controls your stress level. It can also allow you to eliminate unneeded stress altogether.

Now, before you dismiss the significance of this, think about it. Why do you get stressed in the first place? What are the triggers that raise your stress level? It might be a highly demanding job, personal problems, family issues, or many other things. But, you see, it really doesn’t matter what the trigger is because it’s not the trigger that causes stress. Your interpretation or reaction to the trigger and your inability to control the trigger are the actual culprits here.

Most often, you have no control over the trigger, but you most definitely have control over your reaction to it.

For example, let’s say that what triggers your stress is a certain task, such as daily meetings, at work. You find these meetings a complete waste of time and you stress about the fact that they take time away from doing actual work. Every time you sit through one of these meetings you feel anxious and stressed.

So, the trigger here is the daily meetings, and your interpretation of the trigger is that this trigger wastes precious time and prevents you from doing something more important. Your reaction is one of stress and anxiety.

Now imagine the following. Instead of viewing these meetings, which are the trigger, as something negative that wastes your time, think of them in a different way. First, find a positive spin to the trigger. So you can think of the meeting as a much needed break from work, or even an opportunity to voice your thoughts. Even the most unproductive and time-wasting meeting can be instantly turned around with a single bright idea.

Second, evaluate whether the result of the stress trigger is as bad as it seems. Even if the meeting is indeed a time waster that prevents you from doing work, think what is the worst that can happen. If you are nervous that you will not be able to finish your other tasks on time because of the meeting, perhaps it’s not as bad as it seems? After all, your boss and everyone else are aware of these meetings as well and therefore will most likely take them into consideration when expecting results from you.

Lastly, ask yourself: on the grand scale of things, does what you’re stressing about really warrant the stress or is it perhaps simply something insignificant not worth stressing about.

So, remember this simple rule: take stressful events in proportion and you will not need stress management at all. There simply will be no stress to manage.