Coping Strategies

We all develop our own way of dealing and coping with whatever stress is present in our life at any given moment. And if stress is on-going, then those coping strategies will be on-going as well. Fortunately, most of us adopt strategies that work well for us to a limited degree. It may simply be putting our feet up to watch TV or read a good book.

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The adrenal fatigue that accompanies stress often makes us reach for the stimulants such as coffee, chocolate, sugary snacks, alcohol, soda drinks etc. Such stimulants will give the adrenals a quick ‘pick-me-up’ and provide us with short bursts of energy. This, however, results in peaks and troughs of high energy and low energy, with the troughs seemingly getting deeper and deeper, thus requiring more and more stimulants to get us back up to the higher energy state.

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A considerably more sustainable and effective coping strategy is to embrace the art of relaxation, as outlined below. It not only gives us a coping strategy, but it also provides us with the means to actually remove the stress.

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Our first line of defence against any stressor (event, person, situation) is to learn how to let go and relax, so that any damaging effects are minimised. Relaxation training is paramount, as it not only repairs the mind and body, but it teaches us how to be less reactive to current and future stressors. (see How to Relax)

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Correcting bad breathing habits is the next most important strategy to adopt. There is an inextricable relationship between how we breathe and our experience of stress; poor breathing habits increase our sense of stress and inevitably lead to poor physical and mental health; good breathing habits, which we need to rediscover, are associated with relaxation and an improvement to physical and mental health. (see Breathing)

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Apart from relaxation and breath training, it can be of great benefit to seek out a suitable philosophical stance; a way of perceiving life that views things in a kinder and more forgiving light. It is not within our power to continually manipulate events and people so that we won’t be stressed by them, however much we wish we could. We need to find a way of adjusting our perception and thinking so that we are not regularly feeling threatened by life. (see Relaxed Living)

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A belief system that supports the development of positive thoughts and life-enhancing emotions will stimulate powerful, healing energy. Peace, joy, laughter, love, hope – should all be given the opportunity to take a foothold in our life. Bitterness, regret, anger, hatred, envy, and similar negative emotions will drain our energies, keep us locked in tension, and allow disease to take a hold. (see Relief through Belief)