Sometimes your body notices stress before your mind catches up. You feel tense in your shoulders, get frequent headaches, and feel restless all the time. But you think, why?

You might tell yourself, "I'm fine. I just have a lot going on." Meanwhile, your body may be telling a different story. When we begin to have somatic complaints it is our bodies way of saying “Hi we need a shift!” 

What Is the Difference Between Excellence and Perfectionism?

Wanting to do your best isn't the same as needing to be perfect. Excellence is about growing from the mistakes and perfectionism is dwelling on the mistakes and fear driven. 

Excellence: You set high standards, put in effort, learn from mistakes, and can still feel proud of yourself when things don't go exactly as planned. Understanding that it is about the process not the product. 

Perfectionism is often about fear. You may feel like mistakes aren't acceptable, your work is never good enough, or your worth depends on getting things right. You never feel comfortable or complete unless everything is “just right.” 

Learn what research says about journaling for anxiety and perfectionism, why it helps high-achieving teens and young adults, and how to avoid turning it into another thing to perfect.