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Barker is the author of Barking Up The Wrong Tree

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:

And:

We can learn a few things from crazy people. Overconfidence is one of them.

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This piece originally appeared on Barking Up the Wrong Tree.

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