Do you try to avoid stress?

​I recently listened to a talk given by Dr. Kelly McGonigal where she shares research on how we view stress and the subsequent impact that view has on our bodies. If we fear stress and try to avoid it, our bodies will react to that fear negatively. If we see stress as an opportunity to challenge ourselves, we activate the joyful parts of our brain that boost our resilience and help to maintain good health.  

The COVID-19 pandemic is not letting up and being overwhelmed easily, I'm naturally turning to the fear of stress.  While I take some comfort in knowing I'm not alone in this crisis, this is not enough to ease my anxious mind.  I find Dr. McGonigal's chart below helpful in revisiting how I'm narrating my experiences.  How might I change my view of the circumstances to see the challenges we face as growth opportunities? This question is the challenge that I am giving myself as we continue to explore our next steps as a nation.