Problem Solving to Manage Stress

Topic Overview

Problem solving helps you overcome complex stressful events.

Identify all aspects of a stressful event, including behavior, thoughts, and feelings. For example, if you have just been laid off from your job, you need to identify:

• Behaviors, such as the need to look for another job, earn money for your family, and make other adjustments in your life.
• Negative thoughts, such as "I'll never get another job."
• Negative feelings, such as anger and depression.
• How your body responds, such as fatigue or difficulty sleeping.

You can then find coping strategies, such as talking with others about your feelings of anger or depression.

Brainstorm by:

• Thinking of as many solutions as you can, even if they seem very difficult to accomplish.
• Not criticizing any solution.
• Combining solutions.

Evaluate your alternatives and choose the best one. When rating your solutions, take into account the:

• Likelihood of being able to carry it out and succeed.
• Cost in time and energy.
• Effect of the solution on other people.

Act. Determine the steps you need to take and act.