When you feel yourself tense in response to a stressful situation, there are immediate steps you can take to control your stress reaction. Below are some suggestions for emergency stress-reaction control:

• Stop whatever you are doing and call a "Time-Out."
• Change the scene or leave the room.
• Take a 10 - 15 minute walk.
• Count ten breaths. Don't make them particularly deep, just count each time you breathe out.
• Drink a glass of water slowly.
• Talk to someone about what's bothering you.
• Ask yourself, "what's the worst that can happen?" and assess whether you can cope with that. If not, consider whom you might ask for help.
• Ask yourself if what is happening now will really matter in five years.
• Hug someone (or the dog).
• Pray (if that's part of your belief system); or take time to meditate.
• Remind yourself if you can't yet solve it, "there will be an answer."

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