Stress is not the spice of life any more than arsenic is. And without it, you won't feel bored.

Stress is never a given. There are people who get divorced amicably. There are people who pack up and move with no emotional toll. There is no stressor 'out there' in the world. We experience stress - or we don't - depending on what we believe.

Negative thoughts stick around because we believe them, not because we want them or choose them.

The less you think counterfactually, the less you experience stress. Stress, in this light, isn't a bad thing. It's simply a warning system telling you that your mind has lost touch with what's real.

We all enjoy pushing ourselves to accomplish our objectives. But we don't need stress to get there.

Look closer at the stress in your own life and you can identify that negative emotions are always built on counterfactual statements.

The more you worry, the more you throw off the delicate balance of hormones required for health.