7 Tools for Your Coping Toolbox
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If you’ve followed me for a bit, you’ve probably heard me refer to your Toolbox. These are the tools that you use to increase your overall well-being and manage stress. Today, we’re thinking about our own personal toolboxes and what to include in them this month. Yes, the contents can change month to month.
Here are 7 tools to put in your fall toolbox!
Exercise. It’s number 1 for a reason. I can not stress this enough. You will always feel better after you get a workout!
“Right Now, It’s Like This.“ When emotions feel like a lot or stress levels are rising, remember this quote from a Buddhist monk. Acknowledge how things feel right now. Then, remind yourself that you’re already handling it. And, remember that in another moment or two things will be different. They could be better or worse but they will definitely be different. In other words, only for right now is it like this.
The Power of the Pause. Pause. Take a deep breath. Name the feeling. Then choose your reaction intentionally. Isn't it so easy to fall into old patterns of reacting or to simply react without thinking things through? Maybe we end up saying things we regret or wonder why we reacted the way we did.
A wonderful tool to use to make more mindful choices is the pause. By pausing, we break our patterns of thinking. We allow their to be space between our thoughts and actions. This then allows us to make a mindful choice of how we'd like to respond.
Picture a Stop Sign. When you feel your thoughts or fears spinning, try to picture a stop sign to help stop your thoughts and reset them.
Remind yourself that emotions are temporary. One helpful tool is to think about a time in the past that you may have felt these fears or emotions. How did things turn out? When we think back at similar times or emotions, we can remind ourselves of our strength and ability to get through challenging times.
Finding Balance. I’m often asked how do we stay informed without just feeling completely overwhelmed. This is always a work in progress. And, I’d be lying if I said that I don’t work on this balance myself. Unless it’s your job, we don’t need to read every breaking news alert and we don’t need to have the news or news related podcasts on constantly. Get the headlines for the day and then wait a few hours or even until the end of the day before checking in on them again.
Action is Anxiety’s Kryptonite. Anxiety does not like action. One way to help ward off those anxious thoughts is by taking action. Taking action by making a plan, getting a workout or checking off something on your to do list will help you feel stronger and remind you that you can handle whatever is causing you anxiety.
Feel Good Foods. Don’t forget that how you eat can also help buffer you against stress. Learn more about what foods to put on your plate. Learn more about Stress Coping Foods here
Choose to put one, a few or all of these tools in your toolbox. You never know when you may need one!