“Is it Worthy of Worrying?” A knowledgeable and worldly client of mine shared this thought during one of our training sessions, and it stuck with me. In a world full of distractions, work stress, and life’s inevitable curveballs, that simple question feels more relevant than ever.
It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of managing stress—not just ignoring it or muscling through. Stress can quietly chip away at your well-being, affecting everything from your health and mood to your fitness and body composition. It can rob you of the simple pleasures many overlook each day.
Left unchecked, stress can sabotage your fitness goals—clinging to excess body fat like you’re gripping the armrest during turbulence. Stress can disrupt your hormones, impair digestion, and take a toll on your mental state.
Proven Strategies to Help You Manage Stress
Instead of letting things build up, take inspiration from those “words of the wise” and try centering your health and happiness with these four powerful strategies to manage stress:
Strategy 1: Let Go of What You Can’t Control
Worrying about things beyond your control—like the weather, traffic, or flight delays—is not only unproductive but also exhausting. When you catch yourself stressing over these situations, shift your energy toward how you respond.
Use the time stuck in traffic to enjoy a good podcast. Turn a flight delay into a chance to read or plan. Managing stress means putting your focus on what you can control—and letting the rest go.
Strategy 2: Don’t Let Others Steal Your Peace
It’s normal to care what others think, but constantly worrying about their opinions and actions only creates more stress. You can’t control how others behave—only how you respond.
Build self-confidence by focusing on your goals and values. Accept feedback from people you trust, but don’t let fear of judgment keep you from moving forward. Let go of unhelpful opinions that don’t support your growth.
Strategy 3: Learn from the Past, Then Let It Go
It’s healthy to reflect and grow from past experiences, but obsessing over mistakes or regrets can prevent progress. Instead of reliving the past, practice self-compassion.
Forgive yourself. Acknowledge the lessons you’ve learned and use them to make better decisions moving forward. You can’t change the past—but your actions today shape your future.
Strategy 4: Focus on the Present, Not the “What Ifs”
The future is inherently uncertain, and worrying about potential outcomes can create a significant amount of stress. While it’s wise to plan and prepare for the future, excessive worry about what might happen can be paralyzing.
Take action in the present. Set achievable goals, make a plan, and move forward one step at a time. Resilience comes from trusting your ability to handle challenges—not from predicting every outcome. Remind yourself that many worries about the future never come to pass.
Building Thick Skin: A Trait for a Healthy Life
Having thick skin is important in today’s fast paced, harsh reality of a world. Being able to let things bounce off of you as if you were wearing iron man’s suit is certainly a good trait to have and good for your health. Anything truly upsetting should be addressed, but if what is troubling you is something listed in those four categories please take a minute, take a breath, and remember it isn’t worth the worry.
Discover a Better Way to Manage Stress
If stress has been taking a toll on your health, fitness, or overall well-being, you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Pledge To Fitness®, our Wellness Coaching is designed to help you build practical, personalized strategies for managing stress and creating balance in your life. Book a free consultation today and take the first step toward a healthier, more resilient you.
FAQ
Q: How does stress affect my fitness progress?
A: Stress can interfere with your body’s ability to recover, build muscle, and burn fat. Elevated cortisol levels may lead to weight gain, disrupted sleep, and increased fatigue—making it harder to reach your fitness goals.
Q: What are some signs that stress is impacting my health?
A: Common signs include poor sleep, frequent headaches, digestive issues, low energy, mood swings, and trouble focusing. If you’re experiencing these regularly, it may be time to explore tools for managing stress more effectively.
Q: Can wellness coaching really help with stress?
A: Yes. Wellness coaching provides a structured, personalized approach to help you build habits that support mental, emotional, and physical well-being. At Pledge To Fitness®, our coaches work with you to create realistic strategies for reducing stress and improving your quality of life.
