“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant:
if we did not sometimes taste adversity,
prosperity would not be so welcome.” ~Anne Bradstreet
Easter and Spring represent a season of rebirth, hope, joy, and new beginnings! April includes many other national observances, including Canine Fitness Month, Volunteer Month, and Stress Awareness Month.
Formula For Excellent Stress Management
Since my coaching practice is focused on mental fitness and helping my clients find more joy and success while reducing stress, I share my Formula For Excellent Stress Management below.
- Recognize your stressors. We cannot change what we are not aware of. What things are causing you the most stress?
- Reflect on why they might be causing you angst. What is triggering you and why?
- Decide if there is anything you can actively do to reduce the stressors. Is there something you have been procrastinating on that might help reduce the stressors?
- Develop a plan to manage and cope with what cannot be changed. Constantly striving and fighting against things that are beyond our control is a recipe for frustration. What can you put your energy toward instead? What self-care measures can you employ in the face of what cannot be changed?
- Commit to S.M.A.R.T. (Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely) goals that can help reduce or eliminate those stressors within your control. Some stressors originate from life problems that need to be addressed over time. Which stressor, if eliminated or reduced, would make the most improvement in your life? How can you begin working toward changing the issue today? Be as specific as possible.
- Get perspective. Overcome any hang-ups you may have about talking with (safe) others about your struggles.. Find other ways of looking at things. Develop your spirituality.
- Do something for someone else. Volunteering and committing acts of kindness are excellent ways of taking the focus off personal problems. Plus, helping someone else has been proven to be even more helpful to the volunteer than the recipient due to the good feelings that result.
- Get support. Very few people (if any) achieve anything great alone. Sports stars have teammates and coaches. Be willing to ask for support and feedback.
Obviously, there are countless techniques to reduce stress that I have not listed here, including taking the dog for a walk and hitting the gym! The key is to find what works for you and commit to doing it.
Strategy & Mindset
In order to alleviate stress and other bad habits in your life, you need the right strategies, mindset, and preparation skills. That’s exactly what I’ll show you, if we decide to work together.
Coaching provides you with structure and accountability, personally tailored to your needs. If you are ready to make a change and can commit to doing the necessary work to overcome your obstacles, schedule a Strategy Session today!