If you can’t change a situation, change yourself. We can adapt to stressful situations and regain our sense of control by changing our expectations and attitude.
Adapt to the Stressor
Reframe problems
Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or enjoy some alone time.
Look at the big picture
Take perspective of the stressful situation. Ask yourself how important it will be in the long run. Will it matter in a month? A year? Is it really worth getting upset over? If the answer is no, focus your time and energy elsewhere.
Seek excellence & not perfection
Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection. Set reasonable standards for yourself and others, and learn to be okay with “good enough”. Remember, while excellence is very much attainable, perfection is just an illusion.
Focus on the positive
When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. A practical step is to take a while to go through your picture album. This simple strategy can help you keep things in perspective.
