Life is a series of highs and lows, but what if the ratio of lows has been higher than the highs? Then distress happens.

Stress is a part of life. We can’t get away with it. It is a normal bodily process, affected by our

situations and environment. However, it is something that we should never tolerate. We

have to learn how to deal with them, we have to cope so we can live a fulfilled and happy life.

You have the power over yourself. Here are15

Coping Skills in Times of Distress.

1.AcceptanceAcceptance means being willing to experience a

situation as it is, rather than

how we want it to be.

2.DistractionDistraction helps us feel

better by diverting our

attention away from the

distressing thoughts.

Mow the lawn, clean the car,

do some gardening!

3.Express yourself physically Bang a drum!

Scream, shout or sing

loudly!

Rip up a phone book or

newspaper Dance energetically to

loud music.

4.Be positive! Look at each obstacle you

encounter as a learning

experience.

E.G.you may not have done well

on your mid-term exam, but

that has motivated you to

study harder and ace your

final exam.

5.Take it one stepMake the choice not to over-

react to stressors and deal

with them one at a time.

Take a few breaths and carry

on.

at a time.

6.Communicate! Don’t ruminate or bottle up your emotions, as this will

lead to an explosion later on.

7.Positive self-talk I can get through this, I’ve

managed before and I can

now.

I don’t need to do this, it’ll

only make it worse

afterwards.

I’ll regret it and feel awful

later.

It helps for a few minutes, but

then it just makes it worse in

the long run.

I don’t want to end up at the

hospital again.

I can cope for another hour –

I can take one hour at a

time.

8.Make connectionsSocial support is key!

with people.

9.Deal effectively

Learn from your mistakes and

apply them to future decision

making.

with mistakes

10.Develop self-discipline

Train yourself to study harder in preparation for your final exam,

or train yourself to work out four

times a week to lose those

pounds you gained since last

Thanksgiving dinner!

and control

11.Stop blamingBlaming will never solve a

problem. Stop blaming yourself or others for the

situation.

12.Self Soothing Have an early night.

Eat something you haven’t

tried before.

Listen to some favorite

(calming or uplifting) music.

Try a new newspaper or

magazine.

Have a bath or shower.

Use aromatherapy oils.

Massage your hands or feet.

Write a list of things you have

achieved, great and small.

Soak your feet.

Make a list of things that you

can be thankful for.

Paint your nails.

13.Get out Get out of your comfort

zone. Watch a concert. Join

a leisure center or health

suite, change your routines

into something more

exciting.

14.Unleash your inner

Write – prose, poem, story, music, journal, diary, weblog,

whatever comes into your head.

You can take up a new hobby,

learn a new language.

There are plenty of good stuff that awaits you.

Creativity.

15.Maintenance!Practice, practice, practice

for a long life of resilient living!

Learn the art of being positive!Visit my blog at:

http://patricemfoster.com/

SOURCES:http://mindfuloccupation.org/coping-skills-in-times-of-stress/

http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/distresstolerance.htm

http://www.humanstress.ca/stress/trick-your-stress/steps-to-instant-stress-management.html