We all have stress in our lives, and we all have to figure out how to process it in the healthiest way possible. But sometimes what we are calling stress is actually fear.

When you find yourself stressed out, stop and think about what it is that you are really feeling. Is it actually stress, or are you afraid of what the outcome might be, so you’re feeling fear?

Stress is a normal response to change and uncertainty. Our lives are constantly changing due to things we can’t control, and feeling some stress in response to that is okay.

Fear has a place in life, but fear in response to change creates symptoms that are bad for you. And living in a prolonged state of fear is definitely bad for you.

So before you call something stress, try to really think about what it is that you’re feeling. If it’s fear of the unknown outcome, try to work through some scenarios in your mind of positive outcomes, and let the fear go.