Newbie travel therapist or experienced traveler, we can all experience different levels of stress that sneak up on us for a variety of reasons. Like money, holidays or new environments.
It’s important to take care of yourself while traveling (especially on solo assignments), and watch for signs of stress. If you do find yourself feeling strained or anxious while on assignment, try these four quick tips from the American Heart Association (AHA):
- Positive Self-Talk – Negative self-talk (“I can’t do this”) increases stress levels. Combat stress by telling yourself positive things like, “I’ve got this” or “I can deal with this situation.”
- Emergency Stress Stoppers – Deal with stress on the spot by keeping a few of these ideas in your back pocket. Count to 10 before you speak. Go for a walk. Break negative cycles with meditation or prayer. Or even walk away from an immediate stressful situation, acknowledging that you can handle it later.
- Finding Pleasure – Stressed? Do something that makes you feel good! Work on a hobby. Play a sport. Read a favorite book or watch a movie.
- Daily Relaxation – Yoga, tai chi and meditation are all good forms of relaxation that soothe your tension. Deep breathing is a form of relaxation you can practice at home, and eventually you can use this skill whenever–and wherever–you feel stressed.
Learn more about each of the above stress-management techniques on the AHA website.