It is hard to stay calm in the modern world where people face excessive workload, complicated relationships, financial worries, and transitional periods in life. Stress is almost inevitable because it is a natural reaction of the body to danger. Sometimes it can be positive, helping to be more alert and productive, but this concerns only short-lived stress. As for prolonged stress, it may lead to various physical and mental problems. That is why it is essential to use cognitive techniques for preventing unhealthy stress.
One of the significant therapeutic modalities that are empirically valid is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Its principle is rooted in the philosophy of stoics who believed logic could be used to identify and discard false beliefs causing destructive emotions (Pinnacle, 2016). A good technique is writing down thoughts about work, people, and leisure, which helps detect negative thought patterns and start getting free of them (Dauber, 2021). Reframing allows a worried person to challenge negative thoughts and turn them into positive ones by looking at the situation from another angle (Pinnacle, 2016). To change the way of thinking, it is possible to sort the reasons for stress into those with a practical solution, those that will get better, and those it is impossible to do anything about. (How to manage and reduce stress, 2020). Finally, it is necessary to review the lifestyle introducing things that promote a more optimistic attitude, for instance, keeping a journal of gratitude (Jennings, 2018). Thus, CBT is an efficient way to change the worldview and deal with negative thoughts in relatively short terms.
Modern therapists agree that logical reasoning plays a significant role in preventing unhealthy stress. The strategy called CBT includes various techniques for achieving this goal. To establish better contact with oneself, it is recommended to write down thoughts about possible factors of stress. Reframing helps change the attitude to situations that seem unpleasant. Classifying the reasons for stress into three categories is a technique for understanding what should be done. Finally, it is advised to add enjoyable rituals to everyday life.
References
Dauber, E. (2021. How you can use simple cognitive behavioral techniques to reduce stress and increase productivity. Better Humans. Web.
Jennings, K. (2018). 16 simple ways to relieve stress and anxiety. Healthline. Web.
Pinnacle of Man (2016). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) simply explained [Video]. YouTube. Web.
How to manage and reduce stress (2020). Mental Health Foundation. Web.