Feeling stressed or anxious?
You’re not broken — you’re getting feedback. Here’s how I turn stress from “in the way” into “on the way.” 1) Regulate first (60–90s) • 3 x physiological sighs: big inhale → small top-up → long slow exhale. • 5–4–3–2–1 grounding: 5 things you see, 4 feel, 3 hear, 2 smell, 1 taste. • Shoulders down, jaw unclench, soften your gaze. 2) Find the upside (balance perception) • What exactly happened? (when/where/who) • How is this challenge ALSO serving me today? List 3 specific benefits. • Link it to values: Work, Family, Gym, Friends, Home — how does it help one? 3) Drop unrealistic expectations • Where am I expecting a one-sided reality (only “good”, no “bad”)? • Where am I expecting someone (or me) to live outside their values? 4) Turn anxiety into a plan (fear-setting) • Worst case I’m imagining? • If it happened: how could it benefit me / what would I do to prevent/prepare/repair? • Who/what is a resource I can use in 2 minutes? 5) Go one layer deeper (root cause) • Run the “5 Whys”: “I’m stressed because… why? …and why?” until you hit the real constraint. • Brain-dump: get it out of your head and onto paper/notes. 6) Choose one 5–10 minute action • Pick ONE small action that serves your top value today (send the message, 10-min walk, prep a meal, 5-min tidy, book the call). Start a timer. What you get: • Shoulders drop, mind clears, action happens. You’ll feel present, certain, and back in charge. • Repeat this any time the loop starts: Regulate → Reframe → Act. Comment “RESET” and share: 1) The situation (1 line) 2) One benefit you found 3) Your 10-minute action I’ll reply with a tailored prompt + checklist to keep you moving.