How Do High Achievers Deal with Stress?
Stress is a common experience for high achievers, and many see it as a key factor in their motivation and success. At Dr. Dawn Johnson & Associates, we understand that clients may find value in challenging academic and professional paths; it’s not about avoiding stress, but managing it effectively.
Adaptive stress can sharpen our focus and increase motivation. It can provide a burst of energy that helps us to achieve exciting, interesting things and gain the reward for those accomplishments. However, there can also be a point where stress becomes maladaptive. Chronic stress is when stress continues outside of these bursts. It can feel hard to shut off, and we begin to feel stress over smaller things in life, as well as the larger ones. Chronic stress decreases our energy, focus, cognitive functioning, and performance quality, and it can lead to burnout.
The pressure to excel in work, athletics, or academics can create a cycle where achieving more seems like the solution, but this often leads to even greater stress. Our goal is to provide clarity, confidence, understanding what is the root of high-functioning anxiety, and warmth as we help you navigate this stress. We believe in practical advice that empowers you to break free from the stress cycle, allowing you to find balance and fulfillment beyond your latest achievements. With our professional and empathetic approach to anxiety therapy, we aim to help you diversify your sense of identity and reduce your dependence on constant success for happiness.
Are High Achievers More Stressed?
Yes, high achievers are often more stressed than average. They tend to choose full, demanding lives for themselves - wanting to pursue interesting, rewarding academic and professional goals, while also having a personal life, health, travel, and hobbies. While these pursuits are rewarding, each one requires energy and high performers often struggle to recognize that energy is not infinite, believing that they “should” be able to balance all of these things without strain. It can be made more challenging by social comparison. Many high achievers do not identify that way, noting that everyone around them is pursuing similar goals, seemingly without strain. This can lead to feeling inadequate or struggling to accept the need for rest when they start to experience the signs of chronic stress or burnout.
Despite their outward success, high achievers may struggle internally with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, fueling the cycle of stress in order to shore up their self-esteem. It can feel impossible to rest and enjoy an accomplishment; there is a need to constantly work towards the next goal and significant stress in the fear of failure or falling behind.
While some stress can be adaptive, it is important to recognize “What are the symptoms of high-functioning anxiety?” and when stress has started to get in the way of your success and happiness, and a skilled therapist can serve as a coach and guide as you build a life of both accomplishment and happiness
Why Do High Achievers Burnout?
The same factors that lead to success - focus, motivation, and the ability to push through challenges - can also lead high achievers to burnout. When traditionally high achievers begin to struggle, we see that they often double down on the strategies that have worked for them in the past - more work, more activities, more effort - in order to reverse the slide. Rather than improving the situation, however, it’s like a muscle that develops a stress injury from overuse, and clients find themselves in a cycle of stress and burnout. It can be difficult to change direction and move away from strategies that have worked for you for years. It also does not mean giving up your goals or standards but incorporating the data your mind and body are giving you now in order to adapt your efforts. Our team can work with you to identify what’s working, what’s not, and what’s missing, helping you to balance achievement, rest, joy, and connection for a happy, sustainable life.
What Are the 4 A's of Stress Management?
The 4 A's of stress management are a set of practical strategies that can help high achievers manage their stress more effectively:
Avoid: Identify and avoid unnecessary stressors. Where you can, focus on the tasks that have the most value to you and are most central to your goals. This might mean not volunteering for additional responsibilities, delegating tasks to others, or outsourcing household tasks where possible
Alter: Alter the situation by changing how you communicate and operate in stressful environments. This could involve improving time management skills, working to set boundaries, or addressing problems directly rather than avoiding them.
Adapt: Adapt to the stressor by changing your expectations and attitude. Reframe the problem to put it into perspective, which can reduce the stress associated with minor setbacks.
Accept: Accept the things you cannot change. Target your energy towards the things you can control, and work to make peace with the aspects of your life that you cannot.
By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you can begin to manage your stress more effectively and reduce the impact it has on your life.
What Therapy is Best for Stress?
You may wonder, “What is the treatment for high-functioning anxiety?”. Various therapeutic approaches can be highly effective for managing stress, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, psychodynamic psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (M-CBT). At Dr. Dawn Johnson & Associates, our anxiety therapists are trained in an array of evidence-based therapies, to help high-achieving professionals and students manage their stress.
We recognize that many of our clients often come in with a basis of mental health knowledge from their own research or priory therapy, but find that they are still struggling. Our clinicians have the expertise to guide you through the treatment options and create a tailored therapy plan that meets your unique needs and goals, providing you with the tools and strategies you need to navigate stress and achieve a healthier, more balanced life.
Finding Balance and Reducing Stress With Anxiety Therapy
High achievers often face unique challenges when it comes to stress management, but with the right strategies and support, it’s possible to achieve without chronic stress and burnout. At Dr. Dawn Johnson & Associates, we are committed to helping you find balance and reduce your reliance on constant achievement for happiness. By identifying missing aspects of your life and strengthening them, you can diversify your sense of identity and create a more fulfilling and less stressful life.
Anxiety therapy plays a crucial role in this process. Our specialized anxiety therapy services provide you with the tools and techniques to manage stress effectively, helping you understand and address the underlying causes of your anxiety. Through personalized therapy sessions, you can learn to shift your focus from constant achievement to a more balanced and holistic approach to life. This not only alleviates stress but also enhances your overall well-being.
If you’re struggling with stress, reach out to us to learn more about how our specialized therapy services can help you. Our experienced anxiety therapists are here to guide you on your journey to finding peace, reducing stress, and achieving a healthier, more balanced life.
Manage Your Stress in Healthy Ways With Anxiety Therapy in Washington, D.C.
Discover how high achievers manage stress and maintain their edge by seeking professional anxiety therapy. Our expert anxiety therapists at Dr. Dawn Johnson & Associates are equipped to help you develop effective strategies to balance your ambition with your well-being. Start your journey towards a healthier, more sustainable success by booking your first session. Follow these three simple steps to get started:
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to see if Anxiety Therapy is right for you.
Begin meeting with one of our skilled anxiety therapists.
Start coping with your stress as a high-achiever.
Other Services Offered at Dr. Dawn Johnson & Associates in Washington D.C. & Virginia
At Dr. Dawn Johnson & Associates, we want to help you thrive. In addition to helping you manage stress as a high-achiever with anxiety therapy, we also offer services for those struggling with depression, relationships, infertility, academic or work concerns, disordered eating, and more.