Certain everyday situations have the power to make us feel stressed. A massive traffic jam on the way to the airport, meeting deadlines at work or talking in public are good examples of common situations that can trigger our stress.
The way to reduce the impact that these have on us? To plan effectively. Sticking to a planned routine like the one below will help you control your stress and become more confident when situations that can trigger your stress appear.
What if…?
Arriving on time can be stressful if the conditions around you are making it difficult. The only way of not having to worry about this is to be successful at planning and of course, not being overly optimistic with the timings!
If a regular task normally takes you 20 minutes give it 30 in case any of those what-ifs become fact. If you do this with most of the tasks that can give you some trouble, then you are more likely to be wherever you must be on time without stressing about it. Being at the meeting point earlier means that you can use that time to make a quick phone call, catch up with someone on WhatsApp or simply have a drink while you wait.
Writing to-do lists at work
Your work is piling up and a new project needs to be completed as soon as possible. Maybe you were too optimistic about the time you had to finish your other tasks and are now wishing to have that time back that you wasted. This is due to lack of planning.
To avoid this type of situation happening in the future you need to practice some good time management skills. Consider writing a very specific to-do list or making a schedule to help you stay on track. Once you have it, you will just need to stick to it!
Preparing for that presentation you’re dreading
Ok, you are not the only one who hates talking in public. In fact, this is actually a very common fear. What is the way of making this process less stressful? To practice until you master your presentation. Take time to rehearse – this will give you the pleasure of feeling confident. Another good tip here is to come up with possible questions that your audience will want to ask to avoid unnecessary stress before the talk!
Breathe and step back
Arguments with friends or relatives can also put us on edge. Sometimes it is difficult to control our reactions but even though it may sound impossible these can also be planned.
If someone’s comments are making you feel irritated and just want to snap back, take a minute, breathe and step back from the situation. Think twice before you say anything and be sensible. Keep this in mind and you will avoid some post-stress due to unwanted arguments.
Keeping records of your expenses
Money, money, money. Yes, money is one of the main things that can make us feel stressed. Planning to make the most out of your money will help you keep your stress away.
Open a spreadsheet and make notes of every penny that goes in and out. Know your monthly expenses and plan around them. Keep track and you’ll be in control!
Using the satnav to avoid queues
Remember what we said about being on time? Well, queues and traffic jams are sometimes the ones to blame for being late. However, there are easy ways to avoid these.
Something as simple as using your satnav before you head off to your destination can help you to avoid some unpleasant queues. Keep an eye on the traffic en route and you’ll be further away from hitting stress.
