Avoid Stress

1. Setting healthy boundaries

I started with backing off of all unimportant projects that were unrelated to the event, making sure I wrote them down to get back to them at a later date.
2. Rearranging priorities

This is when I really had to divide the necessary from the unnecessary. I started from the source of the trauma and worked my way out, noting the most important people that needed my care first.
3. Taking personal time

It’s important for me to continue to listen to what my body needs in order to stay balanced. I had to do my best to keep from continuously ignoring my own needs for those of someone else.
4. Staying organized

If you need to manage an unprecedented schedule, you’ll want to be as organized as possible. It’s harder to do when you’re in the middle of a crisis, so I like to stick to easy ways of keeping a schedule, like using a planner or my phone’s calendar app.
5. Getting enough rest

I can’t emphasize this one enough. Sleep can be paramount to coping well within difficult situations, and each day is going to bring something different. I planned for chaos, and stuck to my sleep schedule as best I could, and it made such a difference.
6. Asking for help

Reaching out only improved my situation. I had to call on my close friends and family members to help me cope and manage added responsibilities. It was a huge relief.
7. Talking to a therapist

My therapist helped me stay on track and reminded me that I needed to cut myself slack during that challenging situation. It also was really nice to have someone outside the situation to talk to about my struggles with the event.

It can be difficult to find balance normally, and extra stress can cause all kinds of problems with your mind and body, including poor judgement, irritability, and depression.

But don’t worry! You will get through this. With mindful planning, it’s possible to survive traumatic events without losing your entire ability to cope.

What tips would you add to this list?