So often I would get these waves of panic on the job site – afraid of screwing up, afraid that everyone was watching me and judging me, afraid that I wasn’t good enough. My heart would race, my head felt like it was going to explode. Once I learned some relaxation techniques, I could take a couple of minutes to collect myself and realise that my thoughts don’t control me, I control my thoughts. It was so simple, but for me it worked."

Scott, drywaller
PART 4 : TAKING ACTION TO HELP MYSELF

4 Steps to Manage Stress in the Moment

Sometimes we find ourselves caught in situations that can make us feel like we’re losing control of things. Panic, fear, and a sense of doom can quickly set in. Fortunately, those situations are rarely, if ever, as bad as we make them out to be.

With just a few simple steps, we can regain our composure and get a handle on the situation:

STEP 1: Step Back

Stop what you are doing, and remove yourself from the situation immediately. This is for your own health and safety, and the safety of others working around you.

STEP 2: Take a Breath

Take 10 seconds for yourself. Take a breath and breathe out slowly a few times. This will help slow your heart rate and calm your busy mind.

STEP 3: Re-focus

Focus on the here and now, and clear your mind of all the things you’re worrying about. Focusing on what’s immediately present is one of the best ways to clear out all the other crap that’s racing through your head.

STEP 4: Engage

Now that you have had a few minutes to re-centre, what do you need to engage with from here?

  • You might feel OK, and head back to work.
  • You might just need to chat to someone - talk to a colleague or your boss to help get their take on things.

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