10 Strategies for Coping with Stress

Are you struggling in your day to day life?

Coping with Stress is something that may seem simple but sometimes you just need a little reminder.

1)  Don’t worry about things that are out of your control (e.g., the weather.)

2)  Brace yourself for events you know will be stressful. Recognizing that stress is coming will increase your threshold and will give you time to take a different perspective on the situation.

3)  Work to resolve conflicts with other people. Once you resolve conflicts with friends and coworkers you’ll be able to communicate better, work more efficiently, and feel less anxious when you need their help.

4)  Ask for help from friends, family, and coworkers. Often these people want to help, are required to help, or are just being lazy by not offering help. Don’t be a pushover and get suckered into doing everything yourself. Even if your son complains, chances are he doesn’t really mind unloading those groceries for you.

5)  Set goals and make them realistic.

6)  Make time to do things that you enjoy, get away from your daily stresses. Social events, group sports, and hobbies are just a few ideas.

7)  Don’t spread yourself too thin. Say NO if you don’t have the time or energy to do something. Taking on another task when you’re already maxed-out will not only cause you distress, but will also cause the quality of your work and play to suffer.

8)  View change as positive, not as a threat. As humans, we are designed to be highly adaptable, able to adjust to all kinds of environments. Change is a healthy aspect of life from an evolutionary as well as a psychological perspective. Embrace change and look to discover new opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment.

9)  Find out what works for you, which you can do by reading our book, Dynamic Discovery, wherein you will learn specific and effective strategies that you can adopt.

10) Get professional help if you have to. A few sessions with one of our Coaches will prove to be very helpful.

Other Ways To Deal With Stress (coping mechanisms)

1. Exercise. Vigorous physical exercise is a natural outlet for your body when it is in fight or flight state. After exercising your body returns to its normal equilibrium and you feel relaxed and refreshed.
2. Progressive Relaxation. A means of recognizing tension in particular muscles or muscle groups and concentrating on relaxing one-by-one.
3. Imagination / Positive Thinking / Visualization. You are what you think you are.
4. Thought Stopping. Involves concentration on unwanted thoughts and, after a short time, suddenly stopping and shifting thoughts to something we find pleasant.
5. Assertiveness Training. Teaches one to stand up for their legitimate rights, without pushing others around or being pushed around.
6. Nutrition. Stress increases a need for all nutrients.
7. Three Steps of Time Management. 1) setting priorities 2) scheduling time based upon the reality of time available  3) decision making.

Check out my book How to Control Stress where you will find lots of great information for coping with stress and stress management.