Stress Busting Plan: Living the Detox Life
While this programme will help you beat stress when it happens, it's actually better for your health if you can try to reduce stress at the source - before it happens. The following methods will help you to tackle the first signs:
- Do a stress audit. For one month, look at the most common things in your life that stress you, and find ways to tackle them. This could be as simple as fixing a hook by the front door so you don't spend 10 minutes each morning trying to find your keys; or something 'serious' like telling your boss you can't handle that extra project this month after all.
- Keep your arousal level low. If you start feeling stressed, don't panic. Stress is like a tower of cards; you're fine until you put the one thing on top that sends it toppling. If you begin to feel stressed, tackle some of the simple things that are adding to the problem, such as a phone call you need to make, or ask the kids to
play outside for 10 minutes to give you some space.
If you remove the little stressors, the big one won't feel as bad. o Write down your worries. This works in two ways. Writing down what you're worried about can help you prioritize what you can deal with so that you can get it out of your head. What's left should be subjected to a perception audit. Write down everything that's stressing you. Now think what the worst thing that could happen with the problem is.
Out of ten, how likely is it that the worst will happen? If it's less than six, forget it. If it's more, stop worrying about it and start thinking of ways to solve the problem: positive planning is a great way to reduce stress.