--- description: As is often said, stress isn’t about what happens to us, it’s how we react to it. This is very true. We don’t feel as... title: The Secret to Eliminating Stress, According to Research image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbd864d015ca9ded2/6987edd606f2c1891d338079/136493234-copy.jpg?branch=production&width=750&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Ideas](/section/ideas/) ## Ideas Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Psychology](/tag/psychology/) ## Psychology Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # The Secret to Eliminating Stress, According to Research by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close May 1, 2015 4:01 AM CUT  Neckties displayed in store, Venice, Italy Neckties displayed in store, Venice, ItalyGetty Images by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close May 1, 2015 4:01 AM CUT As is often said, stress isn’t about what happens to us, it’s how we react to it. This is very true. We don’t feel as stressed when we feel in control. Again, the emphasis is on _feel_. Even illusory feelings of control can eliminate stress. (This is the secret to why idiots and crazy people may feel far less stress than those who see a situation clearly.) Anything that increases your _perception of control_ over a situation — whether it actually increases your control or not — can substantially decrease your stress level. Via [Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061771295/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061771295&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined"): --- > “” --- And: --- > “” --- We can [learn a few things](http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bakadesuyo/~3/GtbRE6aPG3g/10-ways-talking-like-youre-insane-can-improve "undefined") from crazy people. [Overconfidence](http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bakadesuyo/~3/BJOYJcrTiH4/how-confident-should-you-be-at-work-today "undefined") is one of them. **Join over 180,000 readers. Get a free weekly update via email** [**here**](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD "undefined")**.** **_This piece originally appeared on_** [**_Barking Up the Wrong Tree_**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/08/what-can-you-do-to-eliminates-stress/ "undefined")**_._** Related posts: [New Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More Successful](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/09/be-more-successful/ "undefined") [The 8 Things The Happiest People Do Every Day](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/06/happiest-people/ "undefined") [How To Stop Being Lazy And Get More Done – 5 Expert Tips](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/08/how-to-stop-being-lazy/ "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3842559/eliminate-stress-feel-control/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3842559/eliminate-stress-feel-control/"},"headline":"The Secret to Eliminating Stress, According to Research","datePublished":"2015-05-01T04:01:19.000Z","dateModified":"2026-03-31T08:23:45.118Z","description":"As is often said, stress isn’t about what happens to us, it’s how we react to it. 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