If you often find yourself feeling frazzled and overwhelmed, it’s time to take action to bring your nervous system back into balance. When you’re constantly running in emergency mode, your mind and body pay the price. If your methods for coping with stress aren’t contributing to your greater emotional and physical health, it’s time to find healthier ones. The key: Be open to change. When deciding what to change, consider these four things: avoid, alter, adapt, and accept.
- Change the situation by avoiding or altering the stressor.
- Change your reaction by adapting to or accepting the stressor.
Here are a few tips to help you with these changes:
Avoid Unnecessary Stress
- Learn to say no. Know your limits and stick to them. Be honest with people—most of them will understand.
- Get organized. Look at your schedule and what’s on your plate. Distinguish between “should” and “must.” Drop tasks that truly aren’t necessary.
Alter the Situation
- Be willing to compromise. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be willing to do the same. This will give you a chance to find some middle ground.
- Manager your time better. Plan ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself.
Adapt to the Stressor
- Focus on the positive. When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on the good things in your life. Keep things in perspective.
- Adjust your attitude. How you think can make a big difference in your emotional and physical well-being. Eliminate self-defeating thoughts and words such as “always,” “never,” “should,” and “must.”
Accept What You Can’t Change
- Don’t try to control the uncontrollable. Focus instead on the things you can control, such as the way you choose to react to problems.
- Learn to forgive. Accept that we live in an imperfect world, and people make mistakes. Free yourself from negative energy by forgiving and moving on.
Source: HelpGuide.org.