Stress Relief for Difficult Times

Many of the stress relievers I recommend can be great for people who are feeling stressed or even overwhelmed by daily stressors in their lives: job stress, relationship stress, being too busy, etc. But some people wonder if these strategies--meditation, exercise, journaling, etc.--can make a difference when more serious stress hits. Are there more heavy-duty strategies to use when a crisis hits? Should the approach to stress management be different when stress becomes more intense and far-reaching than merely trying to turn around a bad day?

My answer is yes and no.

Yes, when our stressors become severe and intense, our approach to stress management may need to become more intense as well. This is true for any challenge, though: we need to tailor our response to the requirements and needs of the situation.

That said, many general stress relief techniques are still effective when crises hit, they just may need to be altered or supplemented with other strategies as well. For example, social support is a great stress reliever. But when life's stressors are relatively manageable, stress relief via social support may entail having lunch with a good friend, or a friendly phone call to take one's mind off of the stressors of the day. Crisis-level social support may be more along the lines of in-depth discussions involving emotions and plans, favors from friends to lighten the stress load (like when friends bring dinners for someone who is facing a major challenge), or even support from a coach or therapist. The stress reliever is the same, but the way it's utilized and the role it plays is what changes.

The following major stress resources can help you navigate more serious stressors:

How To Cope With A Crisis or Trauma

How to Develop Emotional Resilience

How To Help A Friend (In Times of Crisis)

Tips on Coping With a Financial Crisis

What are some ways you relieve stress when you're facing serious challenges or crises? Share your tips and experiences in the 'comments' section, and pass this on to your friends via the 'share' button.

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