Cause

Identify the cause of the stress.

Who/What?

Problem Solving

Decide if you can deal with it and act if you can.

Change Thinking

If you can't do something to remove the cause of stress; can you change the way you look at it; or the way you react to it? Look at your response.

Check Your Thinking

Is it mostly positive or negative?

Are your thoughts accurate?

Are they helpful ie "is it a big deal or a little deal?"

Are they too negative? If so, this can increase stress levels.

Ask yourself – does it really matter?

Prioritise

Prioritise your time.

Are you trying to do too much in too short a time?

Are you just trying to do too much?

If so, stop and spend a few moments deciding what is a priority for you.

Drawer System

• Top Drawer:
• • must be done today; physical comfort/survival
  • can be put off for one more day
  • can be delegated to others
• Bottom Drawer:
• • does not really have to be done at all

Time Management

How are you spending your time?

Are you putting things off until the last minute?

Have you committed yourself to too many things?

Anxiety

Are you getting stressed by the same or similar things/thoughts over and over again?

This can develop into a worry cycle that causes stress to accumulate without being helpful.

Can you let it go?

Thought Stopping

Think about how you are coping.

What changes could you make?

Use Thought Stopping to quiet your busy brain.

Use relaxation breathing and visualisation as a distraction from worrying.

Support

Think about asking for support from family or friends when you are stressed.

They need to know what the problems are and how you would like them to help you.