The off switch.

We know how to turn our stress switch on.

Just watch, listen or even think about something stressful. And then it just stays on.

We think that once we resolve the stressful thing, we would go back to no stress. But that's not how it works.

Our body is designed to receive certain physiological signals so that it can turn the stress system off. Deep sighs. Slow outbreaths. Just sending that email isn't enough.

If we don't turn off the stress system, it will find or invent other things to stress about.

How to turn it off? Start with a simple exercise: Take a deep breath. And then exhale slowly until your lungs are empty. Do this at least 3 times.

The trick is to do it before you get to the task, not after.