- Positive Attitude
Happy people have it better in life. They constantly show enthusiasm for life and everything works out for them. They achieve excellent results and can enjoy what they have. They look at the world positively – are you also such a person?
What does a positive attitude toward life consist of?
To be able to like others, you should first like yourself. Stop despising yourself – if you can value someone else, you can also value yourself. You are the most important person in the world to yourself, so you deserve your own respect.
Exercises:
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Write down 5 reasons why you like yourself
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Add 1 skill/trait/strength to your Strengths Wheel
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Use positive anchors
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Relaxation and Breathing
Breathing is an important function, automatically regulated by the body. Oxygen delivered by the lungs is essential for all human tissues to function. Brain tissue is particularly sensitive to oxygen deficiency. And it’s precisely in moments of stress that we hold our breath, “forget to breathe” and additionally “poison” the brain. Take care of your gray cells and give them oxygen.
Exercises:
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Slow down your breathing.
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Practice 4-7-8 breathing
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Visualize happy moments
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Create a matrix of your “anchors”
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Take Care of Yourself.
Generally take care of your body. How often do you take your car for a check-up? Do you treat yourself better than your car?
Exercises:
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Once a year, have a kindness day for yourself
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Once every six months, do a body check-up – meaning medical examinations
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Physical Activity
Sports and physical activity are increasingly appreciated as a means of maintaining and multiplying health. Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to prevent civilization diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and professional burnout.
Exercises:
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Go for a walk with your dog (and if you don’t have a dog, then with yourself)
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Start with 1-minute exercises per day
Time passes relentlessly. It runs so fast that almost everyone complains about its lack today. Fashion dictates constantly chasing something and continuously setting new goals to achieve. The truth is, however, that you can’t do everything. You must know how to choose between more important and less important things.
Exercises:
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Remember what’s important to you – check your Life Wheel
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Don’t give in to the pressure of urgent matters
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Beware of time thieves
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Don’t Be Alone.
Take care of your relationships with family, friends, and acquaintances.
Exercises:
- Schedule a meeting with friends once every 2 weeks in your calendar (and do it!!)
- Plan and do something “crazy” with your Loved One at least once a month (and smaller things once a week)
- Create a family tree of your family.
Author: Michał Gieczewski
Read Also
- 6 Conditions for Getting Out of Stress
- 6 Conditions for Stress Relief
- The Stress Paradox in the Workplace: How to Turn Your Greatest Enemy into an Ally
Read also
- 6 Conditions for Getting Out of Stress
- 6 Conditions for Stress Relief
- Stress Management at Work - Techniques for Professionals
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to build a positive attitude when dealing with chronic workplace stress?
Yes, but it requires deliberate daily practice rather than a single mindset shift. Starting with small exercises — such as writing down reasons you appreciate yourself or using positive anchors — gradually rewires habitual thought patterns. Over time, these micro-habits create a more resilient baseline from which to handle pressure.
How much physical activity is needed to meaningfully reduce stress?
Even brief daily movement makes a measurable difference. Research shows that as little as 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, significantly lowers cortisol and improves mood. The article’s suggestion to start with just one minute a day is intentionally low to remove the barrier of getting started.
Why is social connection included as a condition for overcoming stress?
Isolation amplifies stress by removing the emotional support and perspective that relationships provide. Regular contact with friends and family activates the body’s calming parasympathetic response and gives you a space to process difficult experiences. Even brief, consistent social interactions can substantially lower perceived stress levels.
Can these six conditions help with burnout or only everyday stress?
These conditions address both everyday stress and early-stage burnout by targeting its root causes — negative self-perception, physical neglect, poor time boundaries, and social isolation. However, advanced burnout may also require professional support from a therapist or coach in addition to these self-help strategies.