Thirty tips for handling stress

These tips will be developed at some point

Emotionally intelligent techniques

reactive (in and after specific stressful situation)

• be assertive
• reframe : look for what you can appreciate in yourself / your situation
• reframe : turn a problem into a challenge
• contextualise : see the situation in the context of the big picture, the long timescale
• accept : don’t try to change what you can’t change
• forgive
• feel the feelings fully
• share your feelings with someone

proactive (to reduce stress in the future)

• all the above
• let go of your expectations
• appreciate yourself / your situation
• learn from your mistakes
• keep a diary of stress behaviour and responses / negative self thoughts / good or pleasing things
• ask yourself ‘how do I feel, what do I need?’
• practise the ‘dealing with difficult people’ techniques [to be added]

Behavioural techniques

reactive (in specific stressful situation)

• deep breathing
• tense/relax muscles
• use your ‘resourceful state’
• be humorous
• practise helpful self-talk

reactive (after specific stressful situation)

• all the above
• relax
• ask yourself where in your body is the stress?
• catnap or powernap
• rehydrate / make a cup of tea
• exercise / brisk walk / yoga
• massage / have a bath
• be in nature

proactive (to reduce stress in the future)

• all the above
• manage time and tasks better
• eat and drink well / get enough sleep
• reduce alcohol / nicotine / caffeine
• spend time with people who energise and motivate you
• do something you enjoy every day

by Jeremy Marchant . © 2014 Jeremy Marchant Limited . uploaded 23 april 2014 . image:  Free images