Self reflection has rather different effects on me personally depending on the source of stress.<p>Taking a moment to contemplate during a short term stressful episode (losing a wallet, dropping a plate, etc) I find very useful.<p>For longer term issues, especially those with no clear resolution, I find self reflection to be negative. One example would be e.g. the state of housing in the UK. I just have to live with that - further contemplation makes it worse.