Avoid Amplifying Your Stress: Simple Strategies for Managing Stress

I've come across some insightful posts on the effects of stress on MG (Myasthenia Gravis) and how to reduce it. My favorite tools for managing stress are taking naps to reset and distracting myself through ancestry research. Unfortunately, many of us tend to amplify the stress we already experience, often because of our own thought patterns. I've found it easier to avoid escalating stress in the first place, rather than trying to reduce it once it has built up.

I’m still relatively new to the world of MG, having been diagnosed just 14 months ago. However, I've discovered three strategies that really help me keep my thoughts from increasing my stress levels:

Stay in the Moment

When we try to deal with stress by anticipating problems that haven't happened yet—or by engaging in "what-if" thinking—we often end up ruminating, which only increases our stress. Instead, I focus on defining the stressor in the present moment, which helps me address it more effectively.

Take Action, Not Reaction

When a stressor arises, I try to focus on problem-solving rather than reacting emotionally. I ask myself, "What can I do right now to address this?" and break it down into manageable steps. Staying positive is key—once we start to "awfulize" a situation, we make it seem much worse than it really is. The more emotionally charged we become, the harder it is to think logically and problem-solve.

Don't Pile Up Your Stresses

One of my tendencies is to bundle up my stressors into one overwhelming pile. This only increases my feelings of being overwhelmed and hopeless. Instead, I try to keep my stressors separate in my mind. I remind myself that I don’t have to carry everything at once. It’s like carrying 25 two-pound weights over time: I can handle them individually, but I can't carry all 50 pounds at once.

I’ve found that I can reduce the amplification of my stress by defining each stressor in the moment, focusing on action rather than reaction, and not lumping all my stressors together. These simple strategies have helped me manage stress more effectively as I navigate life with MG.