Coping with Stress I - My Thirty-eighth Entry

We all experience stressful experiences. The major differences between us are the way we cope or don’t cope with these stressors when they occur. Some of us have a natural or learned ability to cope that comes from childhood, while others need to develop strategies for managing stress before we are confronted with them.

There are the universal stressors like war and famine. These create problems for all of us. There are also stressors that seem harder on some of us than others, like job loss or moving.
There are several major ways to change your capacity to deal with stress. You can change the way you think, you can distract yourself, and change your lifestyle, change your situation, or make a complete change. Each technique works at times. What works for you is the important question?

You may be able to use several of these strategies at one time. If you practice them before you have a serious stressor you are more likely to be able to use these ideas successfully. This is because trying to change behaviors or thoughts in the middle of a crisis is nearly impossible.
I will share some of these over the next two blogs. First let’s consider:

Distraction Techniques
• Deep breathing
• Imagery or visualization
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Listening to music
• Getting or giving a massage
• Journaling your thoughts, feelings and experiences
• Do activities that allow you to laugh – deep belly laughs

Have you tried any of these techniques in the past?
Which, if any work for you? __________________________________________

Changing Thinking
• Recognize the differences between irrational fears and reasonable concerns
• Focus on the things and people you are grateful for
• Develop alternative thoughts that reduce the impact of stress
(“This is bad but it isn’t catastrophic”)
• Give yourself positive reinforcement
(“I am capable of handling this.)

Have you tried any of these techniques in the past?
Which, if any work for you? __________________________________________

We will consider the rest in the next blog.

Today’s Truth: Have fun - If you only go around once you want to enjoy it. If you postpone the enjoyment life has to offer, you may not ever have time for it.