Psychologists know that stress is not the situation but our REACTIONS to it! This is liberating since we have choice/freewill. Therefore, next time something occurs that triggers a well-worn pattern of response, e.g. irritation/frustration - if you have awareness at the onset of this triggering then you can change gear!
I used to be a cyclist and hated having to take buses if it rained. So, if I just missed a bus it would trigger frustration/anger. I learnt to change this and not give myself a hard time. (I'm no longer a cyclist but still dislike just missing a bus!) Now, with awareness at the onset of this situation, I just distract myself, e.g. I might look at the passing cars and wonder about the lives of the drivers, from what I see. Or I could use the time to mentally tackle some niggling problem...so many possibilities!
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