“It’s not stress that kills us; it is our reaction to it.” Hans Selye
Everyone has a unique response to stress; there is no “one size fits all” solution to managing it. No single method works for everyone or in every situation, so experiment with different techniques and strategies. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control. If your methods of coping with stress aren’t working, it’s time to find more effective ones.
Possible Coping Methods:
- Nurture yourself. Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you forget to take care of your own needs. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury.
- Connect with others. Spend time with positive people who enhance your life. A strong support system will buffer you from the negative effects of stress. Call or write friends and family to share your feelings, hopes and joys and ask them to share theirs.
- Do something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy. Some suggestions: gaze at the stars, play the piano, ride your bike, pick blueberries, blow bubbles, write a poem, weed the garden, sit on the deck and watch the birds, paint a picture, lay in the grass and find animals in the clouds, walk in the woods, read a book, . .
- Laugh. Laughter makes you feel good. Don’t be afraid to laugh out loud at a joke, a funny movie or a comic strip, even when you’re alone.
“I say, if your knees aren’t green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously re-examine your life.”
~Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes