The ABC of Stress Management

There are 3 ways that we can tackle stress, based on how it happens in the first place as illustrated below

Our minds are like massive computers, programmed with everything we have learnt and experienced to date (Bit in between).

When we are faced with things that we know cause us stress (Activator), our minds immediately add meaning to the situation. We label it stressful and our emotions and body respond accordingly (Consequences). We feel stressed and our bodies go into 'survival mode', as if a bear’s just come into our cave, getting ready to fight, flee or freeze.

The meaning/feeling/body link is what I call The Magic Triad. Change one and the other two change.

This model gives us the ABC of stress management - 3 ways to tackle stress

• Activator

• Bit in between

• Consequences