How To Cope When You Reach The Final Straw

So often, it’s just that one additional thing that causes us to go into meltdown.

Just when we think that we are managing to juggle everything else in life professionally and personally, one final piece of torment or bad news, stress giver, another negative comment or person causes a crisis.

A final straw. When it all just becomes too much.

Perhaps we have been dealing with stress at work, a loved one’s illness, the freezer breaking down, a leaky roof, disobedient children and we have coped.

That last disagreement with our partner has turned our world upside down and we feel unable to move forward.

This isn’t a good or helpful place to be for our health and wellbeing.

If you can relate to this happening, let’s look at some different strategies to help cope better.

Often practical takes and actions are helpful. Being absorbed in the emotional impact so frequently just exacerbates the situation and leads to inactivity.

Before it comes to that meltdown, hiding under the duvet, or the feeling totally overwhelmed stage and when actually we know we are dealing with a lot, it would be good to make a list of everything we are managing to cope with.

This is ongoing. Many of us are dealing with a lot. Start that list now.

Take a few moments also to record the successes and understand the emotional demands we are dealing with and have been successful.

And add the final straw to the list of things to deal with.

For Stress At Work:

• Understand the cause
• Look to delegate activity
• Gain more training or knowledge
• Speak to a line manager for help
• Take a break daily
• Don’t bring or take work home, physically or emotionally
• Learn to switch off

For A Relationship Fallout:

• Make time to speak with your partner
• Agree on a place and date for your discussion
• Stay calm
• State reasons and perspectives and communicate openly
• Ask for help
• Apologize if necessary
• Agree how to move on positively.

Alway break things down into manageable actions.

Building strong foundations of wellbeing- exercise, healthy eating, sufficient sleep and water and time doing the things we love will help in coping.

Ensure you have these in place.

And do not multitask either. It adds to stress which is what we want to avoid. Back to our list. One thing at a time.

I can’t emphasize the importance of asking for help. No man is an island.

Speak to a willing friend or family member who will be open and happy to listen and assist.

Seek professional support if needed; a GP, counselor, a cleaning lady, a workman or a life coach.

And breathe. Relax and be calm. You can do it. Don’t let a straw crush you.