It’s my goal to help ambitious professionals reduce the burden of stress, to uncover greater balance, purpose, and potential in their everyday lives.
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Managing Stress: We’re at a Turning Point
You know it well. Maybe you deal with it once in a while, every day, or… maybe it’s your constant nemesis. And since 2020 it’s probably on your mind more than ever. Stress is a serious threat—not just to our happiness, but also to our health and productivity. It’s no question that managing stress is one of the most important challenges we’re all facing these days.
And, if you’re one of the millions of Millennials or Gen-Xers in the world—lucky you!…You’re feeling even more stress than other generations, even with people of all ages running at crazy-unhealthy stress levels. For professional women, the stats are even more grim. Women face a higher level of work-related stress than their already-pretty-stressed-out male colleagues.
For professional women, the stats are even more grim. Women face a higher level of work-related stress than their already-pretty-stressed-out male colleagues.
Stress Management in a Stressed Out World
Despite the U.S. ranking above average on almost every measure of quality of life:
- Anxiety disorders affect nearly 40 million Americans (1 in 5!)
- As of 2020, 60% face significant stress and worry on a daily basis, and
- One global study also found that people in wealthy countries are actually more likely to feel “generalized anxiety” on a long term basis. Plus, it impacts their lives significantly more.
So Much Self-Care, So Little Time
With the rise of stress and anxiety issues, there’s no shortage of well-meaning content guiding us to “live the life you’ve always wanted”. So, why is stress management so hard? With access to more resources than ever, we’re still chronically stressed out.
The reality is, a lot of the readily-available info about managing stress doesn’t really get at the heart of where stress comes from, or how to prevent it long term. Think about it. You might try a self-care ritual to relax after a busy day…but will tomorrow be any better? And if it’s not really making a difference, it’s just yet another thing on that to-do list.
75% of Americans report regularly experiencing physical symptoms of stress.
American Psychological Association (2017)
New Perspectives on Stress Management
So what’s the solution? Each of us is unique: the reasons for our stress, and the ways we experience it, are as individual as we are. And so, stress management is not going to be one-size-fits all.
Throughout my wide range of experiences (more on that below!) I’ve realized there are a lot of really important things we’re not taught about stress management. Things that could open up so much more potential. Potential for happiness, productivity, health… and whatever else we might be looking for, buried under the weight of all that stress.
This blog is about exploring new ways of approaching every moment in our lives, so that stress and burnout are not required. It’s about helping each person to craft unique strategies that work for them. Regardless of your lifestyle and goals, there are ways everyday life can be both fulfilling and exciting.
Through articles, resources, and conversation, This Powerful Moment aims to help busy, ambitious people find reliable, lasting ways to manage stress in everyday life. In its place, we’re hoping more people will lead lives characterized by deep-seated contentment, motivation, and happiness.
Enjoy!
About The Author: Sarah C. Harris
Nice to meet you! I’m a businesswoman, wife, stepmother, farm-to-table foodie, and outdoor enthusiast, who just happens to also be a Personal Development junkie. 😁👋 The stress management blog at This Powerful Moment is inspired by my curiosity and discoveries about how people find contentment and happiness in their lives.
Over the years, I’ve worked and played in a wide range of high-pressure situations: from national skydiving competitions to classical music performances, travel to many corners of the world, and over a decade in Fortune 500 and pharmaceutical marketing. Through these journeys I’ve gotten to know thousands of people from all walks of life. And—bonus—learned a lot about myself too ☺️.
While all these situations were very different from each other, I saw some fascinating themes about how people react to stress. Surprisingly, one person’s path to happiness can be totally different from another, and they all seem entirely unpredictable.
For example, some of the most genuine smiles I ever saw were from remote island villagers with almost nothing to their name. On the flipside, some of biggest worriers I’ve met were people at the top of their prestigious careers. I’ve watched some musicians and athletes follow their passion to a dream life, and others in the same position struggle with anxiety in a field they used to love.
Learning the Art and Science of Managing Stress
In my own experience too, it was hard to find any common thread. Things I thought would bring certain joy were sometimes really stressful. And I’d often be surprised by the kinds of things that bring happiness. So…what separates people who lead happy, contented lives, from those who struggle with stress? Is there any predictable way to manage stress in the long term?
As my own life evolved and took on more complexity, that curiosity turned into a passion. I really wanted to understand what’s at the core of lasting happiness, despite the endless stressors we all face. (Plus, I had my fair share of stress I wanted to get rid of for good!)
For years now I’ve immersed myself in countless books, articles, studies, podcasts, and other resources; anything I could find about stress, happiness, and how us quirky humans operate. Through this blog I explore ideas I’ve discovered through this eye-opening journey.
Is my life totally stress-free? Ha! Um…no. But I’ll tell you, it is light years ahead of where I once was. And through the process I’ve learned a lot, evolved, and found so many ways to make managing stress a little easier each day. Perhaps it can help others who are setting out on their own unique path to happiness.
If you find it interesting or helpful, please drop me a line, and connect on social media.
