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Stress Management: Boxing your Stress

Identify your Stressors and Box Them

After identifying your stressors, where would you place them?

  • Important & Controllable - change your lifestyle.  Seek help!
  • Not Important & Controllable – change your perception.  Let GO!
  • Important & Not Controllable – change your reaction. Find balance!
  • Not Important & Not Controllable – change your perception!  Let GO!

Important & Controllable

Examples:

I am frustrated that I do not get more exercise.

I wish I could be in a better mood at work.

I feel depressed about my life.

Important & Not Controllable

Examples:

I am angry about this change that’s happening in my workplace.

I am frustrated that my children or partner do not do what I tell them.

Not Important & Controllable

Examples:

I am upset that people leave crumbs on the counter.

I get annoyed when my co-worker takes the last cup of coffee.

Not Important & Not Controllable

Examples:

I am depressed about getting older.

It makes me mad when it rains after I wash my car.