Recognize the skills, tools and practices you currently use to manage your stress.
This activity will help you notice what skills, tools, and practices you already use to manage your stress. Because we often feel stress and respond to it on an unconscious level, not all of the ways we manage our stress support the kind of life we want to have. There is no right or wrong answer. In order to build new habits that give us the freedom and growth we want, we start by recognizing how our current habits affect us.
Make a list of all the things you do when you are feeling stressed to feel better. Some examples: exercise, watch t.v., have a drink, spend time in nature, etc.
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being most effective), rate how effective each item is for reducing your stress.
For each activity, ask yourself, how do you feel 5, 10, or 24 hours after you have done the activity?
Has your stress remained lower or is it back at the previous level? Are there any other effects of your tool/practice that are either positive or negative? For example, if you exercised, you may feel energized and relaxed 5-10 hours later.
Use this activity to be curious about how your current tools are supporting you in the changes you want to see. Make notes over the next few weeks and try a few new things like a guided meditation or a short yoga practice.
Check out this personal Spotify playlist, specially created for this activity by Jules.
