1. Identifying Your Stressors: Be Specific

One of the best ways to manage stress in your life is to first become aware of exactly what it is that causes you stress, because if you can name the stressor, then you can take the necessary steps to minimize or eliminate it.

When identifying what stresses you, be as specific as possible. In other words, instead of writing down the word, “work”, and write down what it was about work that causes you stress:

• Miscommunication with coworkers
•  Feeling unequipped to tackle a new project
•  Balancing work and the needs of your family

When you are specific in naming your stress, you have taken an important first step to taming the stress. Being specific helps you make clearer decisions about what you can do to reduce your stress.

2. Stress: Choosing What to Tackle and What to Release

When facing a stressful time, it can be very helpful to categorize and prioritize the things that are causing your stress. There are two critical questions to ask yourself when doing this:

In this situation, is it a high priority or a low priority?

Is it easy to change or difficult to change?

When you ask yourself the two questions (high priority or low priority, able to change or difficult to change?) you can determine where it’s best to put your time and energy.

Not every issue or situation is worth the attention we give it; sometimes we stress over things that really don’t matter, or things we can’t change. Use these questions to help you decide which problems deserve your attention and which ones don’t, and spend your energy accordingly.

3. When You Can’t Change It, Change the Way You See It

One type of stress none of us can avoid is Environmental Stress. Environmental stress is the stress that you can do absolutely nothing about. This includes things like the weather, traffic, and getting stuck in the slowest line at the post office.

Since we can do nothing about environmental stressors, an effective way to deal with them is to let go of the hold they have on us and reframe the experience.

One way to do that is to reframe a stressful situation and see it with a perspective of gratitude. For example, instead of being overwhelmed by piles of laundry, you can say to yourself, “I’m so fortunate to have all these clothes to wear.” Or when you are stuck in the slowest line at the grocery store, you can look at your cart full of food and remember to be grateful that you can buy what you need.

Other people choose to do practical things to reduce their stress. For example, try keeping audio books in your car to make your slow commute more tolerable. As you drive you can listen to entertaining or educational materials that you wouldn’t make time for otherwise. Or you can carry a magazine or book to read when you are encountered with unexpected delays.

By letting go and reframing the experience, you will find that you can take environmental stress in stride.

Where is your stress level? Do you sometimes feel overwhelm, fatigue, exhaustion, anxiety or burn out.

One other effective way to better manage stress is to talk about it with someone who will support and encouragement you.

I offer a variety of programs that can help you with managing stress and finding techniques to relieve your stress level.

You can overcome negative stressors that are stopping you from living the life you truly deserve.