One of the best, most effective ways to manage stress is to just get away from it. That’s right, just leave, and leave the stress behind. What do I mean by this? I mean leave the stressful situation, whatever it may be.

There are two ways to do this. You can temporarily leave a stressful situation and return when you are better able to deal with it, or you can leave it behind forever. The circumstances of your situation will often dictate which of these approaches you can, or should take, but it is nearly always possible to leave stress behind.

Temporary stress management

If you and your spouse or significant other are having an argument, for example, you can always ask for a time out. Let him or her know that you’re not leaving permanently or trying to end the conversation prematurely. Explain that you simply need time to get yourself under control and settle your mind. You’ll be back to continue the discussion later, when you are not feeling so emotional.

A stressful situation at work may be bothering you. Take a breather, if you possibly can. If your boss is creating the stress for you, ask for some time to consider what has been said. If a subordinate is causing the problem for you, ask him or her to give you a few minutes to collect your thoughts.

Remember, you can always return to the situation at a later time. It is not always best to deal with everything in the moment, especially when emotional responses, whether yours or theirs, may have gotten out of hand.

Permanent stress management

Relationships which constantly lead to stressful situations are not healthy, or helpful, to anyone. If the relationship you have with your life partner has gotten out of control, it may be time to end it. If your work situation brings you more pain and stress than you feel you can accept, it is probably time to look for a new job. Even simple friendships can become contentious from time to time. If you and your BFF just can’t seem to overcome a serious difference of opinion about something important to you, perhaps she isn’t the best friend forever that you thought she was.

Even family, and sometimes especially family, can create more stress in your life than you would like to deal with on a regular basis. If the behavior of one of your siblings, or even a parent, has become more than you can, or wish, to deal with on a regular basis, there is nothing in this world which says you must stay and endure their criticism or negativity. Life is too short to let such a stressful situation impede your happiness due to a simple accident of birth.

True, for some, leaving a stressful relationship is difficult if not impossible. The point I am trying to make here is that you do have alternatives. One of these is to leave the situation, at least for a time, and let everyone involved cool down. If the situation is too extreme, for instance if emotional or physical violence is being done to you, you have every right to leave the situation behind. In fact, you have the responsibility to do whatever it takes to protect yourself and leave the stressful situation behind.

If you’re having trouble coping with stress… Contact us today for a consultation.