Strategies for disrupting the stress response when noticing its immediate effects

Mindfulness activities

breathing exercises

progressive muscle relaxation

mental imagery

I recommend to become familiar with one or two of these strategies, as a "go to" method for combating a stress response during or following a stressful event or situation

Grounding Exercises

physical: such as touching something, taking a drink, smell something pleasant

Mental: Make a list of things you enjoy, repeating mantras, count something, try recalling as many things that start with a letter (A for example: Apple, anime, archery, atoms, airplane... )

Grounding activities are useful when feeling overwhelmed, or experiencing disassociation.

It is a way to bring your mind/body back to the present, and let the intensity of feeling pass.

Other Ideas you may like to try....

Yoga or Thai Chi

Listen to music

take a break/rest

get fresh air

engage in physical activity

Talk to someone

Take a shower/bath

I would love to hear any ideas that you already are using in your day to day lives; feel free to share in a comment~

If you would like more detail on any of the tips mentioned over the past three blog entries, please leave me a comment, or email me and I will try to make a post covering that topic in the near future.