Question:
I have had one heck of a stressful week, begining with a broken water heater
and ending with having to testify in a trial. So here is my question. How
do you handle stress? When you feel so overwhelmed; your brain stops
functioning, what do you do?
I've been told that making lists and prioritizing tasks is a great way to
reduce stress. That works for me right up until I'm so overloaded - I can't
think of all the things I have too do. So right when I need that
organizational skill the most - I'm too overwhelmed to do it.
When that happens, I stack everything up (and make a bonfire - no just
kidding) and I take the first thing on the stack no matter the importance or
difficulty and I do it. Then go to the next and the next and the next.
My husband tells me that if I'm overwhelmed at home that I should make my goals
smaller - i.e. instead of having the goal of cleaning the kitchen - I can
have the goal of mopping the kitchen floor. Break things down into smaller
units.
Those are good for being overwhelmed with tasks and if you have some coping
skills with stress - We'd like to hear them.
But how do you handle emotional stress - when the stress is not from a job but
from a person? Any ideas?
Answer:
How do I handle stress?
By breaking things down into smaller units.
Lamps, dishs, glass objects etc., they all splater quite well. <:-(
In other words, I don't handle it well at all lately. I used to crawl
inside a bottle of gin, but I just can't deal with that whole mess anymore.
I need to talk with my doc about this suppressed anger and agitation. I
think my meds might have something to do with this.
>But how do you handle emotional stress - when the stress is not from a job
but
>from a person? Any ideas?
There was a time when I would've answered by saying " talk it out with the
person". Be assertive but not aggressive. Use " I " statements and avoid
using the word " you ".
If this doesn't work, you could always give them the finger and tell them "
Hey, pal! You're number one!"
The last two weeks have been EXTREMELY stressful for me. I've never
dealt with stress very well. However, I think I'm learning.
When I reach the point where my brain stops functioning, I just shut
it down all together. I mean I'll just literally shut myself down.
I'll just lay down or if that's not possible, I just sit down, close
my eyes and start deep breathing. I won't get up until I feel I'm
ready. I don't care how much I have to do.
Then I'll just prioritize what I have to do and concentrate on one
thing at a time. This usually works pretty well for me.
I just slow down, slow down, slow down when I find I'm really stressed
out. That seems to work for me.
