Everyone is faced with daily stressors and as the holiday season approaches stress can become extreme when combined with daily pressures.
You can handle stress- big and small-by following these tips:
• Avoiding problems (stressors) can make them seem bigger than they are because you can start to imagine the worst case scenario. Many times the worst never happens. When you start to fret stop worry in its tracks. Ask yourself what is the worst thing that could happen, then how likely it will happen. Many problems seem insurmountable, but realistically looking at the problem, identifying potential outcomes and actions can ease stress.
• Make a plan and determine an alternative or Plan B. Sometimes having a backup plan can prevent frustration if the first plan doesn’t work out.
• Tackle problems one step at a time. Take any project or task and break it down into small steps.
• Embrace the fear. When you start feeling stressed become aware of how your body feels so that these sensations become familiar and don’t feed your worry.
• “Vaccinate” yourself against stress. Push yourself to deal with small stressors to build confidence for handling the bigger ones.
“Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.” ~ Henry Ford