Stress is sort of a sloppy word, really. When people talk about being stressed, they are usually associating the physiological manifestations of stress as a representation of emotion. And while they are linked (isn’t everything?!), they are not the same thing.

We all get into routines and habits, things we do on autopilot. It could be taking the same route, or the order in which we perform tasks. While these routines and set patterns make life easier, they also help to keep our brains rigid and inflexible.

When you feel anxious, pay attention to what your body is doing in those moments. Try to identify the different ways in which your body is expressing that anxiety.

We also tell ourselves stories subconsciously. These are the stories that give definition, depth and texture to our self identity. They can liberate us to be our best selves. Or they can limit us, subconsciously holding us down. But the storytelling is not a fixed event.