Strategies for Stress Management

Since I just posted how badly I am feeling lately, I decided I better remind myself of these strategies:

Think about identifying circumstances that cause you stress (stressor) and your symptoms of stress. For each stressor, ask yourself two questions:

1). How important is this to me?
2). Can I control this event or situation?

Consider the the control and importance to help you determine which strategies to use. Skills that will help you manage stress include:

Awareness Skills
Acceptance Skills
Coping Skills
Action Skills


AWARENESS SKILLS

* Work on being consciously aware of stressful situations. Review signs and symptoms associated with stress

* Identify common causes of stress for you


ACCEPTANCE SKILLS

* Keep it in perspective, Don't think catastrophically

* Avoid over-dramatizing or exaggerating reactions of others.

* Keep a positive attitude.

* Avoid worrying about things that may never happen.

* Use positive self-talk (Cognitive behavior therapy)

* If worries and fears are causing you stress, ask yourself:

1). Has this happened before?
2). What did I learn from it?
3). What is the worst possible outcome?
4). What else can I do?
5). What advice would I give a friend in this situation?
6). Five years from now...will I remember this event?


COPING SKILLS

1). Non-aerobic stretching exercises like yoga can be calming because they induce deep breathing and a meditation-like mental state. Helps release anxiety, lower blood pressure, and reduces your pain. We need those endorphins released to our brains!

2). Relaxation exercises include a great variety of techniques. One of the easiest to learn is Deep Breathing. Other relaxation techniques include Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Imagery and Mediation.

3). Humor and Laughter: Medical research suggest that humor can have positive effects on both the mental state and the body, particularly in enhancing health and reducing pain.

4). Support from Others: Join a support group or seek support from others in times of stress or need.

ACTION SKILLS

* Practice using clear assertive communication; saying what you need, sometimes we do not know what we need, think about what it is we need.

* Become competent in using time management strategies

Think about this:

--Did I cause it?
--Can I change it?
--Can I control it?

Answer is "NO"
Flow, and do something different
Save energy for something you can impact and change.

PRACTICE SAYING NO
PRACTICE PACING
PLACE BOUNDARIES AROUND WORRIES
IF YOU SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON WORRYING (LIMIT IT)

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PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Strategies for Managing Stress's

STRESS'S

Controllable and important.....use Change and Action Skills
Uncontrollable and important...use Acceptance and Coping Skills

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Controllable and unimportant....use Action Skills and Acceptance
Uncontrollable and unimportant..use Acceptance and Re framing the Situation.



I pray and hope this has helped someone today. Have a pain and fatigue free day!