#14: Stress is Inevitable, But Overwhelm is Optional—Here’s Why

Stress is inevitable—but being overwhelmed by it is optional.

In this episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, we explore how to build resilience to stress, increase your capacity to handle pressure, and shift from reacting to responding. I’ll share a personal story that illustrates the power of mindset, plus simple, actionable strategies to help you regulate your emotions and take back control.

Key Takeaways:

• Your foundation determines your stress resilience. Prioritizing sleep, hydration, movement, and fresh air strengthens your ability to manage stress.
• Your thoughts create stress, not the event itself. The way you interpret a situation determines your emotional response—challenge your assumptions.
• Pause before reacting. A single moment of awareness can shift your response from automatic stress to intentional action.
• Regulating emotions is the key to stress mastery. Simple practices like deep breathing and sensory focus help activate your body’s natural calming mechanisms.
• Stress is unavoidable, but suffering is optional. Instead of resisting it, approach stress with curiosity and flexibility—adapt, reframe, and choose ease over struggle.

"Stress isn’t caused by an event. It is caused by how you interpret the event, and consciously deciding how to handle that event or that circumstance is your superpower." - Karen Gombault

In short, stress doesn’t have to dictate your day. By strengthening your foundation, shifting your mindset, and regulating your emotions, you can handle high-pressure situations with confidence and clarity. What’s one thing you could do differently the next time stress arises? Small shifts add up—and mastering stress is within your control.