Stress

Stress affects me both mentally and physically. While I've learned that some stress helps me perform better, I need active strategies to prevent it from becoming overwhelming.

My Stress Signals

• Physical: Tight shoulders, shallow breathing, headaches
• Mental: Racing thoughts, difficulty focusing, forgetfulness
• Emotional: Irritability, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed
• Behavioral: Poor sleep, stress eating, procrastination

What Works For Me

• Morning Meditation: 10 mins using Headspace app
• Quick Resets: 4-7-8 breathing when feeling tense
• Movement: Daily walk + 3x weekly strength training
• Evening Routine: Gentle stretching before bed

My Support System

• Professional: Regular check-ins with a professional when needed
• Personal: Weekly calls with close friends
• Work: Regular 1:1s with manager about workload
• Home: Quiet space for decompression

My Tracking System

I use my stress journal to track:

• Daily stress level (1-10)
• Key triggers and patterns
• What helped / didn't help
• Sleep quality correlation

Prevention Strategy

Using GROW framework for my stress management:

1. Goal: Keep stress at a manageable level
2. Reality: It spikes during big projects
3. Options: Better boundaries, delegation, breaks
4. Way Forward: implementing structured breaks