With all that’s going on in our country, in our economy, in the world, and on social media, it feels like so many of us are under a great deal of stress. We know that chronic stress can be as unhealthy as smoking a quarter of a pack a day. For many of us, our work, our livelihood, is a particular cause of stress. Of course, a bit of stress is just fine, but what are stress management strategies that leaders use to become “Stress-Proof” at work? What are some great tweaks, hacks, and tips that help to reduce or even eliminate stress from work? As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Erica Wiederlight.Erica Wiederlight, known as the confidence coach, specializes in guiding individuals through dating, love, sexual empowerment, and self-love journeys. Alongside her coaching, she’s a renowned professional speaker and the host of the highly acclaimed podcast, “Welcome To The Wiederlife.” Her expertise has made waves, with appearances on over 100 podcasts and features at notable events like NYFW and the UN, as well as in publications including Epoch Times, Galore, and Cosmopolitan magazine. Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to know how you got from “there to here.” Inspire us with your backstory!My journey began like many, with a strong sense of energy and connection as a child. However, as I grew, life experiences led me to lose that connection. When I ventured into the field I’m in now, I carried a lot of self-hatred, cynicism, and discomfort with my own body. I was incredibly hard on myself.What’s intriguing is that my path to transformation began when I immersed myself in the very work I now do. I embarked on a personal journey of self-discovery and growth, initially for my own healing. Through this process, I found my way back to self-love and acceptance.Eventually, I decided to share my experiences and insights by creating a business in this field. So, my journey from disconnection and self-criticism to self-acceptance and business creation was born out of my personal transformation.What lessons would you share with yourself if you had the opportunity to meet your younger self?If I had the chance to meet my younger self, I would emphasize several valuable lessons. First and foremost, I would express my love and pride for her. I would stress the importance of self-celebration and self-kindness. The core message I would convey revolves around self-love: that she is inherently worthy, deserving, and entirely enough. I’d inspire her to pursue her dreams with determination. Additionally, I would highlight the significance of pleasure, emphasizing that she deserves joy, playfulness, and enjoyment in her life. I would also reassure her of her intelligence and the belief that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to.None of us are able to experience success without support along the way. Is there a particular person for whom you are grateful because of the support they gave you to grow you from “there to here?” Can you share that story and why you are grateful for them?Certainly, I owe a debt of gratitude to numerous mentors and coaches who played a pivotal role in my journey. Their unwavering belief in me and their support were instrumental in helping me progress to where I am today. Amid the many who have contributed to my success, my deepest appreciation goes to my father. He has consistently been my most ardent supporter, demonstrating a profound commitment to my business endeavors and a steadfast belief in my potential.Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think it might help people?I’m currently involved in some exciting new projects. In addition to working with my 1:1 clients, I host weekly movement classes that are not your typical dance sessions. These unique workshops are known as “Wild Soul Wednesdays.” Wild Soul Movement is a practice in self-discovery that encompasses movement, mantra, and meditation, originally created by Elizabth Dialto.It’s all about reconnecting with your own body, like returning to a familiar place.These sessions offer a healing movement experience designed to help individuals foster a kind and loving relationship with their bodies. Rather than being a conventional workout, think of it as a “work-in.”The aim isn’t to burn calories or reshape our bodies; instead, it’s about embracing our bodies as the incredible vessels they are. Wild Soul Movement encourages a deep connection to your body, including its wisdom, signals, and ways of communicating. It’s an inclusive practice, welcoming individuals of all fitness levels, body shapes, sizes, and abilities. You don’t need any prior dance experience, and we provide various modifications to ensure everyone can participate comfortably. This project is all about helping people develop a more profound connection with their bodies and promoting self-love and acceptance.Ok, thank you for sharing your inspired life. Let’s now talk about stress. How would you define stress?Stress is a multifaceted experience that impacts the mind, body, and spirit. At its core, stress can be defined as a state of heightened worry or tension. While its manifestations vary from person to person, in my case, I recognize stress when I become overwhelmed with anxiety. It tends to disrupt my ability to listen to my intuition and leads to both physical and mental tension.In the Western world, humans typically have their shelter, food, and survival needs met. So what has led to this chronic stress? Why are so many of us always stressed out?The prevalence of chronic stress in the Western world can be attributed to various factors. While some individuals grapple with more primal stressors related to survival, such as meeting basic needs like putting food on the table and covering bills, others experience chronic stress despite having these fundamental requirements met. This highlights the significance of equipping ourselves with tools and techniques to address stress, as it can easily transition into a chronic state for many. Even when our basic needs are fulfilled, stress persists due to the myriad stressors in our environments. Managing these stressors requires ongoing effort and mindfulness to prevent them from overwhelming us.What are some of the physical manifestations of being under a lot of stress? How does the human body react to stress?The human body is truly remarkable in the way it communicates with us. It consistently provides signals, ranging from subtle whispers to outright screams, to convey its needs and responses. When under significant stress, the body often exhibits physical manifestations, including muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, and various other symptoms. These physical reactions serve as important indicators of the body’s response to stress.Is stress necessarily a bad thing? Can stress ever be good for us?I wouldn’t categorize stress as inherently negative or positive. Instead, it’s important to delve into the underlying causes of stress. Often, beneath the stress lies a yearning or desire. For instance, when you explore the source of your stress, you might find that your body craves more rest, fair compensation at work, or a deeper connection with your own body. Rather than attempting to simply dismiss stress, I advocate for a curious examination of what your body and soul truly require.Is there a difference between being in a short term stressful situation versus an ongoing stress? Are there long term ramifications to living in a constant state of stress?Absolutely. There’s a distinction between experiencing short-term stress and being under constant, ongoing stress. These two forms of stress can have varying effects and implications in our lives. If you find yourself in a situation of chronic stress, it’s important to take proactive steps. It can be beneficial to explore practices like meditation, engage in physical movement, consider consulting with a therapist or coach, and reach out for support. When you sense that your stress is persisting over the long term, it becomes crucial to seek assistance and build a toolbox of strategies to address it.Is it even possible to eliminate stress?It is possible to mitigate and manage stress. Stress is a common part of life, whether it’s chronic or situational. It’s important to recognize that we can’t completely avoid stress. However, what we can control is how we respond to and relate to it. This is why I believe that coaching or working with a professional can be an excellent tool and outlet to help individuals navigate and effectively address stress.In your opinion, is this something that we should be raising more awareness about, or is it a relatively small issue? Please explain what you mean.From my perspective, this is definitely something we should prioritize raising awareness about. As I mentioned earlier, stress is a common experience, and it’s crucial that individuals have the necessary tools to manage it. Learning how to effectively deal with stress is, in my opinion, essential for maintaining both physical and mental well-being.Let’s talk about stress at work. Numerous studies show that job stress is the major source of stress for American adults and that it has escalated progressively over the past few decades. For you personally, if you are feeling that overall, work is going well, do you feel calm and peaceful, or is there always an underlying feeling of stress? Can you explain what you mean?While work may be going well, there can still be an underlying feeling of stress. However, if you are experiencing a sense of peace and calm as your default state, that’s wonderful. In my practice, I guide my clients to tap into their intuition and their body’s innate wisdom. It’s valuable to inquire whether there might be something deeper surfacing or if they are genuinely content. This process involves asking their body and soul what they might need at that moment.Okay, fantastic. Here is the main question of our interview: Can you share with our readers your “5 stress management strategies that busy leaders can use to become “Stress-Proof” at Work?” Please share a story or example for each.Journaling: Keeping a journal provides a safe space for self-reflection and offers valuable insights into areas I need to address within myself and my relationships.