One way to help manage your stressors is to try to alter them.
The key to altering your stressor is reflecting on what you can do to change things so the problem does not present itself in the same way in the future and as a result it does not have the same impact on you.
Here are 4 tips to try and alter your stressor:
1) Express your feelings instead of bottling them up
If something or someone is bothering you, try to adapt the stressor by communicating your concerns to an appropriate person in an open and respectful way. Focus on the behaviour and not the person or the situation and set out clearly what you would like to change.
2) Be willing to compromise
If you ask someone to amend their behaviour or a situation, you must also be willing to listen and make changes yourself. It is important to create win - win situations, so when you look to alter your stressor you are also likely to need to give as well as take.
3) Be more assertive
It's important that you don't take a backseat at work or in your own life and that you do your best to anticipate and prevent problems and manage stressors, and if needed speak out. This means asking for help, as well as being clear with people whose behaviour, or situations they create, step on your values.
4) Plan ahead
Poor self management and planning will make you less able to meet challenges and is likely to add to your stress bucket. Thinking clearly and calmly when under pressure, running late or being stretched, are all aided by good preparation, Without this, it’s much harder to stay calm and focused.
Of course, it may not always be possible to alter your stressor. You may also want to explore if your can adapt, avoid or work to accept the stressor instead, and we explore these strategies in their own videos.
You can also explore more tips and strategies to help you manage stress in the 'stress management' course which you can take at your own pace from the 'your courses' page.