TECHNIQUE ONE:  Take a Timeout......

If you’re in a stressful situation, and it isn’t a life-threatening emergency, the best thing to do is to pull back and assess. You need time to figure it out. Thinking Takes Time! Most people become reactive when something stressful happens. Their reaction to the stress is likely to be less helpful than if they took time to relax before making a decision about what action plan to take.

When you’re in stress, your needs aren’t being met and you feel frustrated. Fear can quickly turn into anger. At such a time, your thinking is likely to be reactive and unclear, not unlike the knee-jerk response when a doctor taps you on a nerve. The chances are that you are likely to lash out and say or do the wrong thing. Give yourself a Timeout so that you can choose an appropriate action that is a wise choice.

There are several techniques you can use to relax your mind. During the Timeout it might be a good idea to change the subject for a while and calm down. Move to your internal center point. Think about how to best resolve the problem that is creating stress. Herman Hesse said, “There is no reality except the one contained within us. That is why so many people live such an unreal life. They take the images outside them for reality, and never allow the world within to assert itself.” Try meditating, deep breathing in a quiet place, taking a warm bath, listen to soft music, or go for a drive to help you calm down.

Another way of taking a Timeout is to get some physical exercise. Lack of oxygen is a sure way to hang on to stress. Aerobic exercise, even a walk, is a great idea. Play a sport or do yoga or another kind of stretching.

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