When it rains, you grab an umbrella. When you’re stuck in line at the movies, you (mostly) wait without starting a riot. Stress is no different—you can try to ignore it, but the only real option is to adapt. The problem isn’t the stressor itself; it’s how we deal with it.
And let’s be real: stress is everywhere at work. Morning traffic. Inbox avalanches. Clients with opinions. Colleagues who think cutting a piece out of every doughnut to “taste it” and “save calories” is okay (no it’s not, you monsters!). And the classic Friday-afternoon crisis that shows up just when you’re ready to log off. Hiding under your desk might be tempting, but the smarter move is to learn how to cope like a Zen master.
That’s why we turned to the data. Using our COSA-R2 (Coping Skills Assessment), we divided 3,431 workers into two groups:
- Top performers who are satisfied with their jobs.
- Poor performers who are dissatisfied with their jobs.
Then we compared their stress-busting strategies. Here’s what separated the “I’ve got this” crowd from the “send help” crowd:
What Top Performers Do Differently
- Find the silver lining. 67% of top performers can spot opportunity in difficulty, compared to just 39% of poor performers.
- Keep perspective. 73% remind themselves problems are temporary setbacks (vs. 46%). They focus on solutions instead of spiraling.
- Practice gratitude. 71% count their blessings and celebrate wins, while only 45% of poor performers do.
- Talk it out. 63% vent to someone they trust (vs. 21%). Sometimes the best coping tool is a coffee and a sympathetic ear.
- Face problems head-on. 64% tackle issues directly (vs. 44%). Avoidance only feeds the stress monster.
- Relax, on purpose. 32% use relaxation techniques like deep breathing (vs. 21%). It’s not woo-woo—it’s smart biology.
- Take it step by step. 49% approach stressors methodically (vs. 29%). Define, strategize, adjust, repeat.
- Refuse to give up. 84% simply won’t quit in the face of challenges (vs. 59%). They may wobble, but they bounce back.
Top performers don’t escape stress—they outsmart it. They reframe it, share it, breathe through it, and above all, refuse to let it run the show. The difference isn’t that their lives are easier; it’s that their coping toolkit is sharper.
If you’re running an Employee Assistance Program (and honestly, you really should), stress management is a must-have. Our COSA-R2 (Coping Skills Assessment) helps you see how employees actually respond to stress, the strategies they rely on, and—most importantly—where they could use better ones.