1 in 5 people in the U.S. experience mental illness each year. High achievers are more prone to stressors that cause serious mental health concerns because they constantly fear failure due to setting unrealistic expectations for themselves.
Ways to Reduce Stress for High Achievers
High achievers may find it particularly difficult to control their stress in the competitive and fast-paced city of New York. Little time may be available for self-care due to the demands of work and personal life, and the pressure to succeed may be too great. Although, the practice of self-care can open up many possibilities that will lead to the benefits of managing stress.
If you’re a high achiever in New York and you often find yourself in stressful situations that you find hard to control or manage, follow these helpful tips to help you reduce stress and improve your overall mental health.
- To live a happier life, let go of the “all or nothing” mindset. High achievers live with the “all or nothing” mindset or the constant fear of failure. Although there’s also good in living an almost-perfect life, the problem with the all-or-nothing approach is that it leaves no room for failure. This habit often leads people toward perfectionism and down a path where they never finish anything because they believe there is no such thing as “good enough.” To live a happier life, let go of this mindset and live in the moment. Some things are beyond your control, so you have to let go of your idea or perfection and live with your reality. This is the first step to reducing stress and living a more fulfilled life.
- Get some days off to slow down and relax. A study found that 20% of the best-performing UK leaders are affected by corporate burnout. Burnout is common among high achievers, especially in a corporate setting, and it’s sometimes called the “overachiever syndrome.” If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress from corporate duties, take some time off, even for just a few days. Get away from your daily routine and indulge in something that makes you happy. Don’t feel guilty about taking time off for yourself, because it positively affects your mental health. Seeking a center for stress reduction during this time can further assist you in sustaining the benefits of managing stress.
- Set healthy boundaries for yourself and talk about them. Setting healthy boundaries for yourself is a great way to reduce stress and improve your relationships with others. These are some of the benefits of managing stress. If you set boundaries, you’ll be able to better focus on the things most important to you and protect yourself from those who want to use your time or energy to their advantage.
- Pursue realistic goals with a realistic timeline. When you set unrealistic goals and then try to reach them in a short period, the pressure to succeed can cause anxiety and stress. If you set unrealistic goals in a cramped timeline, you don’t have enough time to prepare for what’s coming next or even enjoy what’s happening at the moment. Pursuing realistic goals with a realistic timeline reduces stress and it helps you set achievable expectations that benefit you.
- Focus on achieving a balanced life rather than a perfect life. Instead of focusing on one area of your life at a time, try taking a step back and looking at the whole picture. What do you want your life to look like? Do you want more work or more play? Do you want more time with family and friends, or would you rather spend it with yourself? Once you know what makes you happy, then you can start making changes in your life so that it’s well-balanced and it brings you joy instead of stress.
It can be hard to slow down and relax when you’re used to running on adrenaline. But if you make an effort to change your mindset and practice healthy habits, you’ll find yourself in a better mood one day at a time. You can be a high achiever and receive the benefits of managing stress and live a happy life.
Importance of Reducing Stress in NYC
It can be both exciting and extremely stressful to live and work in New York City, a bustling metropolis that never seems to sleep. Many people experience overwhelm and burnout as a result of the fast-paced lifestyle, constant noise, and pressure to succeed. For high achievers in particular, managing stress is especially important, and there are several reasons why.
- Physical Health: Stress can negatively affect physical health. Chronic stress has been linked to a number of health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and weakened immune system. These conditions not only impair a person’s ability to work and function but can also result in severe long-term health issues.
- Mental Health: Your mental and emotional health can be significantly impacted by stress. High levels of stress are associated with the emergence of anxiety and depression, which can make it challenging for people to successfully function at work and in daily life. Burnout is a real concern for high achievers who frequently push themselves to the limit, and ongoing stress can cause emotional exhaustion and a loss of passion for their work.
- Job Performance: High stress levels can also have an impact on work performance. Focusing, making wise decisions, and effectively communicating can be challenging when someone is under stress. This may result in errors, missed deadlines, and even disputes with coworkers, all of which could ultimately harm career success.
- Life fulfillment: A more fulfilling personal life can result from reducing stress. It can be challenging to find time for hobbies, relationships, and self-care when people are under constant stress. High achievers can have a more fulfilling life outside of work by controlling stress and placing a priority on their mental and physical health.
High achievers in New York City must learn to manage their stress if they are to be successful in both their personal and professional lives. By being informed on why managing stress is important, they can learn how the benefits of managing stress can help them prosper in their success. They can improve their physical and mental health, as well as their productivity and quality of life, by managing their stress and placing a priority on their well-being. For assistance, high achievers can seek a center for stress reduction to further understand why managing stress is important.
Call us at Uncover Mental Health Counseling if you think you need professional help, we have qualified therapists in New York who use different behavioral and emotional therapies to help you manage stress.
