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This week we are going to talk about how to really manage your stress at work. And we are going to be doing it by taking a close look at cognitive science and our own thinking brain.

• Let’s start first with defining something key to this episode; cognitive science
• Cognitive science; the interdisciplinary scientific study of the mind and its processes
• We are talking about this because one thing that is true is that a good majority of our stress is created in the mind
• We have mental computations that occur and result in our cognitive function…or lack thereof.

What                                                              

• What is stress: a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances
• Also, to give particular emphasis or importance too and subject to pressure and tension
• Notice, it doesn’t say things like: stress is your car breaking down or your kid coming home with an F in math.
• What “stresses” us is different for every person; the events are different
• And thus, some bold existential philosophers will say things like “all events in life are neutral” and “there are no excuses…we are all responsible.”
• Sounds a bit harsh but yet, also incredibly empowering
• With that, we are now going to look at how the actual meaning that we subscribe to events and the “stories” that we tell ourselves create stress or not
• We are specifically going to bring in the work of Albert Ellis and Byron Katie
• First, we need to perceive that we are under threat; and we’re not talking about a physical one
• Threat to our identity, to the way we thought things “should” be
• So, an event occurs; typically something non-preferred and then we tell ourselves a story about that event
• Enter the work of Albert Ellis and Byron Katie.
• You can find Byron Katie’s work here.

Let us know how you manage your stress and what works for you?