tempered.
Identify triggers
There are often known triggers which raise our stress levels and make it more difficult for us to manage. If you know what the likely triggers are, you can aim to anticipate them and practise calming yourself down beforehand, or even find ways of removing the trigger. Triggers might include late nights, deadlines, seeing particular people, hunger or over-tired children.
Establish routines
Having predictable rhythms and routines in your day, or over a week, can be very calming and reassuring, and can help you to manage your stress.
Routines can include:
• 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
Spending time with people you care about, and who care about you, is an important part of managing ongoing stress in your life.
• Spend time with friends and family, especially those
you find uplifting rather than people who place
demands on you.
• Share your thoughts and feelings with others when
opportunities arise. Don’t ‘bottle up’ your feelings.
Look after your health
• Make sure you are eating healthy food and getting regular exercise.
• Take time to do activities you find calming or uplifting, such as listening to music, walking or dancing.
• Avoid using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs to cope.
Notice your ‘self-talk’
When we are stressed we sometimes say things in our head, over
and over, that just add to our stress. This unhelpful self-talk might include things like