Stoicism is an ancient philosophical school that originated in Athens, Greece, around 300 BC. Philosophers of Stoicism included the likes of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus. The philosophy emphasizes the importance of rationality and the development of self-control and resilience as a way to navigate the challenges of life. Most notably, Stoicism is famous for its profound ways to handle and control stress. At its core, Stoicism teaches that individuals should focus on what they can control and accept what they cannot control, encouraging the practice of self-discipline and the cultivation of virtues such as wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. Here are some ways that Stoicism can help you control and contain your Stress.

1. Practice Negative Visualization

Stoics believe that emotions such as anger, fear, and grief are caused by our own judgments and opinions, rather than by external events. Therefore, they advocate for the practice of “negative visualization,” which involves imagining the worst-case scenario to prepare oneself for adversity. By doing this, we can prepare ourselves mentally for the worst, making it less intimidating if it does happen. This practice can help us build resilience and reduce stress.

2. Focus on what you can control:

Stoics believe that many of life’s stressors come from external events that are outside of our control. Therefore, they encourage individuals to focus on what they can control, such as their own thoughts, actions, and attitudes. By focusing on what is within our control, we can reduce feelings of helplessness and stress.

3. Use reason to reframe stressful situations:

Stoics emphasize the use of reason to reframe our thoughts and attitudes toward stressful situations. By using reason to reframe our thoughts, we can develop a more objective perspective on our situation, which can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

4. Cultivate virtues such as wisdom and courage:

Stoics believe that cultivating virtues such as wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance can help individuals navigate stressful situations. By focusing on developing these virtues, we can build our capacity to manage stress and respond to adversity in a more effective way.

In summary, Stoicism can be helpful in managing stress by providing practical tools and a philosophical approach to dealing with challenging situations. By focusing on what we can control, practicing negative visualization, using reason to reframe our thoughts, and cultivating virtues such as wisdom and courage, we can reduce stress and build resilience.