The stresses we experience in life can come in waves. Stress is something that, in short doses, can be very good for us, developing our resilience over time. It's when we experience those big things that can be like a meteor hitting us that can take months, years, or even decades to work through. This is why it's not about being on the defense all the time in case something incredibly anxiety-inducing hits us, whether it's death, divorce, or even getting arrested, but about recognizing that we can develop certain tools within us to work through anxiety-inducing situations in life, including the following:
Visualization and Preparation
Two different sides to the same coin, but visualizing how the event or situation will unfold can help to reduce uncertainty. We don't always know exactly what can happen in a certain situation, but we can get a pretty good idea.
For example, when somebody gets arrested, there are things that we can do to cope, like being calm and composed to avoid escalating the situation and remembering the importance of a criminal defense attorney to ensure that we can navigate a situation without as much anxiety as possible.
With something like being arrested, we've all seen on TV or on the news what can happen, and when we are in certain situations where this may occur, whether it's speeding or getting caught off guard, having an understanding of potential challenges can boost our confidence and give us a sense of control. Part of the reason we experience anxiety is that we don't know what will happen, and this is why preparation is always key.
Establish a Calming Routine
When anxiety starts to build, we need to have a toolkit of tactics ready to go. Most people don't have things they can fall back on, but if you are someone who feels stressed even if the situation doesn't call for it, having a selection of tools that you know will work for you is absolutely the best possible thing.
Because when those real anxiety-inducing things happen, you need to turn to these things. Deep breathing exercises are one excellent tool because when you do it right, it can stimulate the vagus nerve, which is something that can reduce those major bouts of anxiety. The YouTube channel Therapy in a Nutshell provides an abundance of solutions here. But it's not just about incorporating these tools into those stressful moments but also into our daily lives. This is so important.
Practice Self-Compassion
The final point when learning to reduce stress is to remember that anxiety is not something you can always push through. It's at these moments when we become overly critical of every single aspect of our being. Look at yourself as a totally different person. Would you treat a friend like this if they were going through a stressful situation? It’s unlikely.
We all experience major stresses in life, and as much as they can severely impact us, we can certainly soften the blow in specific ways. It is a lifelong practice, but by implementing some of these tactics, you can certainly develop a toolbox of strategies to better cope with these situations.