Stress is an external threat or situation that demands we respond in a particular way. It’s a natural part of life and can be beneficial from time to time, but excessive, chronic stress leads to anxiety. Although stress is a part of life that’s impossible to completely evade, there are ways we can manage it. The four A’s of stress management show us how.
Avoid. It’s not a good idea to avoid all stressful situations. After all, having a fulfilling life often requires us to rise to the challenges that meet us. However, sometimes it’s possible to avoid excessive stress that would overfill your schedule and deplete your resources. You may need to learn new skills to avoid some unnecessary stressors, like saying no to excessive responsibilities. Saying no can be uncomfortable for people, but the ability to say no and establish healthy boundaries can prevent you from taking on more work than necessary.
You may be able to lower your stress levels by tuning out social media and the news. They’re both full of negative news these days, given the COVID-19 pandemic and many of us spend far too much time obsessing over every catastrophic bit of misery on our social media feeds. By reducing our intake of bad news, we can lower our stress levels.
Alter: When you can’t avoid a stressor, you may be able to change it. Can you get better clarity on what’s stressing you? If it’s a person who’s the cause of your stress, communicate with them. Use “I” statements and take ownership of how you feel. It’s important to express your feelings before they turn to resentment.
Adapt. Take stock of your assets and re-evaluate your situation. What can you do to meet the challenge? Evaluate the challenge and make sure you’re not stressing yourself over something that won’t matter in a week—or a month. Do you have rigid standards that might need loosening? Adaptation often involves changing rigidly inflexible standards and adopting a willingness to try new ways of solving problems.
Accept. Some stressors must be accepted. The death of a loved one, a trauma in our past, illness, or injury are all examples of intense stress that must be accepted because they’re out of our control. You can’t change anything about these kinds of stressors, but you can learn to live with them.
It’s always good to talk out our worries and frustrations with a trustworthy person. Damaris Aragon, ARNP, BC provides a full spectrum of mental health care to people in Spokane, Washington, and surrounding areas. She focuses on providing personalized, compassionate care that adheres to current evidence-based standards. Reach out to Damaris through her contact page or calling 509-342-6592.
