Stress is not predictable. While you can make schedules and say no to tasks you know you don’t have time for there’s a good chance you’ll still encounter stressful situations from time to time. That’s why it’s important to know how to stay calm in these situations. The following are just five tips for dealing with surprise stressors.
Stop and Breathe
When presented with an emergency situation, most people simply panic. Unfortunately, panicking gets nothing accomplished. The best thing to do is stop and breathe. This will give you a chance to think clearly about how you need to handle the situation. In other words, you can begin to come up with solutions.
Think of Solutions
There is often more than one solution to a problem. For example, many surprise stressors come in the form of finances. If you find that your car breaks down and you don’t have the money to fix it, this can be stressful. However, if you sit down and think about it, you’ll realize that there are many solutions. You may choose to use public transportation, walk or get a small loan to handle the repairs.
Get Help
You don’t have to face the world alone, even when the situation is stressful. In fact, getting help from someone may open your eyes to new solutions. Someone who isn’t involved may be able to better think about the situation. They may even be the answer to your problem. For example, if you find that you’re having to work a double shift, your friend maybe able to pick your children up from school and take care of them for the evening.
Don’t Worry About What You Can’t Fix
A big mistake that many people make when it comes to stress is worrying about what they can’t fix right away. For example, if you get a letter in the mail saying that your account is overdrawn due to a check that isn’t even yours on Saturday, it does no good to sit and worry about it until Monday morning. Simply figure out your solution (to call the bank) and let it go.
Remember That It Could Always Be Worse
Last, but not least, remember that it could always be worse. While an empty bank account a week before payday may be stressful, remember that you have food in the kitchen and a roof over your head. You may have to walk to work to save gas, but at least you’re able to do that.
Surprise stressors can be difficult to swallow, but they’re not the end of the world. Whether you take time to breathe or just ask for help, you can beat these situations.