Stress Management Plan

Developing a stress management plan doesn’t need to require a lot of energy and time.  Mostly, you just need to make a commitment of how you will reduce stress by taking a few steps towards improving your health and well-being.

You can begin your stress management plan by writing down some of the activities you enjoy participating in.  An example could be sitting in front of the fireplace curled up with a good book, taking your pet for a walk, strolling on the beach with your spouse, or maybe just soaking in the hot tub with a cup of hot cocoa.  You can include any hobbies you enjoy or maybe another option could include something you have dreamed of doing, but have never taken the time to do, or something you use to enjoy, but haven’t taken the time to do lately.  Make sure nothing on your list is related to work or to a different source of stress in your life.

Next make a list of at least 2 things you do you shouldn’t be doing, or things you can probably live without doing.  This list might include things like cooking a large meal after a busy day at work, bringing your work from the office home, doing laundry for your college teenager.  In other words this list are things that won’t cause the world to come to an end if you no longer do them.

Next make a list of at least 2 things you have put off doing you should have done already, like your taxes, or maybe some problem you haven’t wanted to deal with directly.  If you’ve been putting off calling your mother-in-law, or cleaning out that closet, put those things on your list.

These 3 lists you’ve just compiled will become a goal sheet to reduce your stress.  So now your stress management plan should look something like this:

- Each week spend at least 15 – 20 minutes doing one or two of the things you enjoy from list number one.
- From list number 2 eliminate at least 1 or 2 tasks of things you need to do by accomplishing those tasks.
- Next from list number 3 tackle at least 2 things you have been putting aside and finish each one.

Hang in there – you can do this!

Joyce Jacobsen