Don’t Pretend That Stress Doesn’t Exist

We are in the middle of the COVID-19 global pandemic (whatever “middle” means) and it seems that everyone’s world has been turned upside down by all the cancellations, closures, restrictions, quarantines, and self-isolation. As a physician-entrepreneur, I’ve been in my office seeing patients, even though my patient volume has been down. Several patients have called our office to say they are afraid to leave their homes because they fit the age demographic they’ve been told is at higher risk. Others, who have been impacted financially, can’t afford the co-pay or office visit fee right now.

At any rate, a lot of folks have some level of anxiety about all of this. No matter what industry you are in, where you work, your health status, etc., we are in uncharted territory. Don’t pretend that stress doesn’t exist.

I came across this article from Harvard Health Publishing that talks about “Harnessing the Upside of Stress”. Hopefully, it will give you a different perspective on how to harness this strange energy we’ve all been feeling. Check out this excerpt from the article:

          “Changing your mindset doesn’t mean taking a Pollyanna view of the world. The key isn’t to deny stress, but to recognize and acknowledge it—and then to find the upside, because a full-throttle fight-or-flight response is not the only possible reaction to stress (at least when the stress does not involve a potentially life-threatening situation).”

Take care of yourself and those you love, everyone!

         Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a Nashville Business Journal 2020 Women of Influence Award Recipient, Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient, is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter, Young Leaders Council (YLC) Leadership Institute and is a Nashville Power Moves Award Winner. She is a Podiatrist and Owner of The Foot And Ankle Healthcare Center, PC in the Nashville area. She is a Reiki Master, a Law of Attraction Practitioner, and an advocate for the power of positive thinking! Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Leadership & Life Leadership for College Students and Young Professionals and is the creator of the “Design Your Story” Women’s Empowerment Series.