Identify your warning signs:-These vary from person to person. For you they may include, tensing your jaw shoulder, neck or head pain, tearfulness or irritability.
Identify triggers:You may have some already identified triggers; things that you know will raise your stress levels and make it more difficult for you to manage. If you know them, you can anticipate them and calm yourself down beforehand, or even remove the trigger (if possible). Triggers can include, late nights, certain people, hunger or being overtired.
Establish routines:Having a predictable rhythm to your life can be calming and reassuring.
Example:Regular times for exercise and relaxation,Regular meal times, waking and bedtimes,Planning ahead to do particular jobs on set days of the week
Spend time with People who care:Spend time with friends and family that you find uplifting (sometimes friends and family can be the source of stress, so try and minimize this contact). Share your thoughts and feeling with others and don’t bottle it up
Look after your health:Make sure you are eating healthily and getting regular exercise. Take time out from your busy life for some calmness, such as listening to music, having a bath, taking a walk. Avoid using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs as a method for reducing stress.
Notice your ‘self-talk’:When we are stressed, sometimes we say negative things over and over in our head. Statements like, “I’m too busy,” “I can’t cope,” “It’s not fair,” if repeated can make you even more stressed. Use more helpful statements like, “I’m coping pretty well, given all I have on at the moment,” “breathe easy,” or “Life just isn’t fair sometimes.”
Practise relaxation:Make time to relax and allow your whole nervous system to settle and readjust. Things like, yoga, gardening, listening to music, reading a book can all help you reduce your stress levels.
