Stressed Out?

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I'm a worrier. Some days I hover, getting way too close to the problem. So close that I can only see problems. When I sink into obsessive self analysis, then I can't find the solution.

What I need most is space. Turns out self-distancing gives you a "psychological time out" according to Ethan Koss, PhD at the University of Michigan as reported in O, The Oprah Magazine. Self-distancing is a proven therapy for lowering stress levels. How does it work?
Script for Self Distancing Based on Koss' Ideas

1. Mentally step back so you can visualize yourself in the situation. "This (name the situation) is happening to (fill in your name).
2. Ask yourself "Why is (fill in your name) reacting by (fill in the reaction).
3. Watch yourself go through the event and try to make sense of the event. "Why is (fill in your name) feeling (fill in the feelings you felt). 
4. Repeat whenever bad feelings recur. 

Above all, remember to breathe when you feel stressed. Meditation techniques can be helpful. 
If you are like me, stress is just part of life. You can't escape it. You can't remove it from your life, but you can learn to cope. 
The saying that bad things come in threes often hits close too home. But it is just a saying. If I allow myself to constantly worry about what could happen next, then my life predictably gets even crazier. Some of the best advice I've learned for lowering stress levels is to be realistic and stop projecting what could happen next. When I do that, I can focus on what actually happened instead of imagining that something bad might happen next.