It may seem that there’s nothing you can do about stress. The bills won’t
stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day, and your career and
family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have more control
than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that you’re in control of
your life is the foundation of stress management. Managing stress is all about taking
charge: of your thoughts, emotions, schedule, and the way you deal with
problems.
Think about the ways you currently manage and cope with stress in your
life. Your stress journal can help you identify them. Are your coping
strategies healthy or unhealthy, helpful or unproductive? Unfortunately, many
people cope with stress in ways that compound the problem.
If your methods of coping with stress aren’t contributing to your greater
emotional and physical health, it’s time to find healthier ones. There are many
healthy ways to manage and cope with stress, but they all require change. You
can either change the situation or change your reaction. When deciding which
option to choose, it’s helpful to think of the four As: avoid, alter, adapt, or
accept.
Since 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.
