Stress
Stress affects me both mentally and physically. While I've learned that some stress helps me perform better, I need active strategies to prevent it from becoming overwhelming.
My Stress Signals
- Physical: Tight shoulders, shallow breathing, headaches
- Mental: Racing thoughts, difficulty focusing, forgetfulness
- Emotional: Irritability, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed
- Behavioral: Poor sleep, stress eating, procrastination
What Works For Me
- Morning Meditation: 10 mins using Headspace app
- Quick Resets: 4-7-8 breathing when feeling tense
- Movement: Daily walk + 3x weekly strength training
- Evening Routine: Gentle stretching before bed
My Support System
- Professional: Monthly check-ins with therapist
- Personal: Weekly calls with close friends
- Work: Regular 1:1s with manager about workload
- Home: Quiet space for decompression
My Tracking System
I use my stress journal to track:
- Daily stress level (1-10)
- Key triggers and patterns
- What helped / didn't help
- Sleep quality correlation
Prevention Strategy
Using GROW framework for my stress management:
- Goal: Maintain stress below 7/10
- Reality: Currently peaks at 8-9 during projects
- Options: Better boundaries, delegation, breaks
- Way Forward: implementing structured breaks
Tip
My Emergency Kit
- 5-minute meditation audio
- Calming playlist
- Contact info for support people
- List of quick stress-relief exercises
Note
Personal Reminder It's okay to step back when feeling overwhelmed. My health comes first.