Stress Relief: Coping Strategies and Positive Attitudes

Three Attitudes to Approach Stress Management:

1. Accept

Accept stress as part of life and build up resistance to its effects. Set priorities instead of focusing on the problem itself. Adopt a "learn to live with it" attitude.

2. Alter

Modify the situation by understanding you have choices. The choices are to change the situation, or to change yourself.

3. Avoid

Avoid unnecessary stressors by recognizing signs of stress and realizing what provoked it.

Some Coping Strategies for Stress Relief:

1. Look for humor in the situation. . . laughter is the best medicine.
2. Learn to forgive not only others but yourself.
3. Set some goals in life. . . make sure they are realistic.
4. Talk. . . find a listening ear to vent frustrations. Minimize the negative and maximize the positive.
5. Exercise your mind and your body.
6. Be aware of limitations, but focus on abilities.
7. Practice relaxation techniques. . . deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, imagery, music.

Slow Me Down Lord . Just one example of a meditation that can be used to help you practice relaxation. If you do not like this one, click on the link below for more of ours. Or, find a different meditation, prayer, poem, song, or other short writing that works for you. 

Relaxation: what Is It?  

Okay, now that you’ve learned about some of the things that cause you stress and why, and you’ve read about a few coping strategies and positive attitudes, it’s time to brainstorm some coping techniques that you   can use to deal with your stress. Again, it’s important to take the time to write them down (print this page, or use your own paper).