Recognizing Intellectualization: A Defense Mechanism For Stress and Distress

Life can flow along seamlessly for ages without any serious concerns or stressors. Suddenly, it doesn’t, and a trigger throws us off unexpectedly. An essential teammate resigns.A big, long-term client ends your contract.Your business gets a shocking review on Google. What do you do when life throws you these curveballs? Many of us spring into […]
Stress vs. Willpower: How Stress Makes Us Give In To Our Addictions

Maybe it’s the sweet, creamy taste of ice cream; the crunch of a sugar-laced cookie.Or a few more minutes of mindless scrolling on social media.Or perhaps it’s the siren call of that oaky, crisp, or rich-bodied wine and the relaxed feeling of settling back in a soft, relaxing armchair. We all have go-to comfort foods, […]
Openness, Eccentricity, and Stress: How Are They Related?

Do you ever feel like breaking the mold—turning up to work in your most colorful clothes, or bursting into song at a stressful moment? We all react differently to triggers such as impending deadlines, long To-Do lists, or team tension. When things get monotonous or intense, one of these responses involves personal expression: channeling our […]
How Stress Causes All-Or-Nothing Thinking (& 3 Solutions)

Do you ever feel like your life is a rollercoaster of extremes with no happy medium? Maybe you’re feeling on top of the world one moment and you’re acing all your projects. Or, you’re messing up every opportunity to shine, never quite meeting your own or others’ expectations? “All-or-nothing” thinking, otherwise known as “black-or-white” thinking, […]
Emotional Overwhelm: What To Do When You Have Too Much On Your Plate

At times, it’s easy to feel like you’ve got too much to handle. You may start with a clean plate—with little to worry about—but for each new challenge or task you encounter, a little weight is added to it. This is manageable at first, but the pressure on you grows as the stressors accumulate. Maybe […]