Whenever I run a workshop (or give a lecture on Zoom) about stress, I usually start off by explaining that stress is not something that has to happen to you. Yes, certain events such as redundancy, relationship break-ups and illness tend to be difficult for many people. But some people help themselves to cope better.

In stressful circumstances, I’m sure you have heard that some people engage in a coping strategy known as denial, which is usually regarded as an unhelpful strategy. But there are other unhelpful as well as more helpful strategies for managing stressful situations and the emotions they trigger within you.

To understand more about stress and coping strategies for dealing with stress, click the image below to enlarge the piece – you can also download it if you like.

 
If you want to reduce the impact of stress in your life, spend a few minutes thinking about what you will do differently – as well as when you will do it. Think back to situations that have been challenging for you recently and then think about how you would cope if similar events cropped up again.

If you would like more advice on how to cope with stress, do also watch the short video that accompanies the article:

Centredness emotions mental health stress