Strategies for Coping With
Stress
Each and every day we face
stress. Stress is actually a necessity of life. Mild stress
helps us make appointments on time, remember important dates, and get those last
minute details worked out on a project that is due tomorrow. This is
usually not what causes us to become "distressed" in our day to day
lives. Sometimes too many of these minor stresses all piled one atop of
each other can create major stress, and now we're talking a whole new ball game.
Not to mention what happens when we try to cope with major stresses of loss of
any kind, such as the loss of a loved one, losing a job, or separation of a
relationship.
Below is a list of suggestions
that may help you when you are trying to cope with stress in your day to day
life. Not all of these suggestions are meant for everyone. You may
even find that a coping skill that worked for you before seems empty and useless
now. The key to your success is to keep a list of things that work for you, and
a willingness to try new things. You may even find that things that did
not work previously work this time around.
| self esteem |
relationships |
plans |
| stop living in the past |
listen objectively to feedback from
others, do not let your pride get in the way, but offer your point of view
in a calm manner |
stop waiting/worrying about the
future, live for today |
| forgive yourself for past mistakes |
make friends with people who are
positive and who like themselves |
write a journal of your moods,
thoughts and activities (you may be able to identify triggers in this way) |
| for every negative thought you have
counteract that with a positive one |
be honest about how you feel, but
do not tread on other's feelings |
list your successes, refer to these
often and be sure to add entries as well |
| express yourself in writings and
art (even if you are the only one you share this with) |
share a hobby with a friend |
set realistic goals |
| find a hobby that you enjoy whether
that be crafts, cooking, gardening (the possibilities are endless) |
stop "collecting" people
with problems, or at least stop trying to rescue them |
learn what is controllable in your
life and what is not, if it's not controllable, shift your response |
| pretend you are a perfect parent to
YOURSELF |
let other people run their own
lives |
avoid alcohol and/or street drugs |
| tell yourself you CAN do it |
give up the envy |
meditate/pray daily |
| tell yourself positive things every
time you see your reflection |
expect to enjoy relationships |
read a self help book (if you have
trouble with concentration while reading, try reading out loud) |
| practice calm self expression |
stop looking for someone else to
blame |
take a continuing education course |
| stop "shoulding" on
yourself |
talk bout your strengths |
practice problem solving rather
than waiting for solutions |
| find your special "gift"
and develop it |
ask for help in a straightforward
way, it is very difficult for anyone else to read your mind |
exercise regularly, one hour per
day |
| RELAX |
compliment others |
practice good posture |
| give yourself permission to be
afraid of success or failure |
stop assuming others can't get
along with you |
eat healthy |
| if you fail - try again |
go out with friends |
make a daily list of 5 things you
want to accomplish, start out simple |
| stop feeling sorry for yourself,
decide to be determined to succeed |
stay involved with positive people |
make a list of 5 things that you
are grateful for daily |
| get enough rest |
share yourself |
take vacations |
| stop reflecting on things that did
not work out, let the past be the past, learn from your mistakes, don't
let them control your life now |
volunteer |
practice being alert |
| dress in a way that feels right for
you |
list and then share
responsibilities |
stop letting things drift |
| make decisions |
listen to others |
do something exciting |
| smile at your reflection |
compromise occasionally |
organize your work and focus on one
thing at a time |
| make your living arrangements
uncluttered and comfortable |
learn to ask for what you need/want |
protect yourself from unsafe
situations |
| wear loose fitting clothes at home |
learn to laugh (children are the
best teachers) |
engage in spiritual activities |
| listen to music |
smile at others |
plan on facing a difficult problem,
then plan out the steps to solve the problem |
| enjoy your sexuality |
get and give a massage |
practice focusing and concentrating |
| keep your body clean |
do nice things for others without
being asked |
explore your ideas |
| sing |
make a special dinner for your
significant other or best friend |
take one step at a time |
| avoid excessive noise |
reach out |
visualize your success |
