Reduce High Stress with a Stress Care P.L.A.N.

Unmanaged stress doesn’t just affect you emotionally, it affects you physically too. That’s why we’ve partnered with doctors, educators, engineers and more to help you see stress differently and take control with a customized Stress Care P.L.A.N. (Period, Location, Activity, Name).

If you haven’t discovered your stress level yet, take our Stress Test and find out which “Stress Portrait ” represents you best (low, moderate or high).

If your Stress Profile is High Stress, follow our simple guide below to better understand how to optimize your stress levels.

Understanding your stress

As a person experiencing high level of stress, you’ll probably feel a sense of being out of control. To start taking back control, it’s helpful to understand how stress is affecting you, so that you can break everything down into smaller and more manageable chunks. For example, many people who feel highly stressed experience the following causes of stress:

Emotions	Mind	Body
Taking too much responsibility for things Over-worrying, often leading to anxiety Feeling nervous	A feeling of happiness being blocked, or not appreciating the positives Lack of personal choice	Lack of sleep or restful moments, for the mind or body Poor eating habits

Creating your Stress Care P.L.A.N.

Now it’s time to take 15 minutes—away from distractions—to create your own Stress Care P.L.A.N. in just three easy steps.

1. First, think about what causes you stress—big or small.
2. Take some paper, or a device, and write “P”, “L”, “A”, “N” down one side.
3. Work through the letters below and set at least one personal goal. !

	Select a Period of time every day to switch off or reflect. Suggestions: Spend your travel time in the morning to work as time for reflection Spend 10 minutes before bed clearing your mind or thinking about the good things that happened that day
	L – Location Head to a Location that encourages you to take a break. Suggestions: Go to the local park for a stroll Sit by the harbor nearby Visit your best friend’s house
	A – Activity Choose an Activity that both fits your budget and addresses some of your daily stress. Suggestions: Read your favorite magazine or book for 30 minutes before bed for better sleep Meal prep and cook properly a few times a week
	N – Name Name some people you can talk to and who would give you a helping hand. Suggestions: Speak to someone you trust about sharing responsibilities for tasks Reach out to someone who knows you well, who can remind you about what you enjoy

Using this new P.L.A.N., put your activities in the diary, book classes, bring a friend, get a babysitter and make it as easy for yourself as possible.

What your stress visualization means

Because the causes and effects of stress differ from person to person, everyone experiences stress differently. Learn more about how we can visualize stress.

Recommended reading for your high stress level

• When Stress is Making You Ill
• A Moment of Calm
• How to: Stress Relieving Exercises for All Ages
• Family Wellbeing Tips To Cope With Parenting Stress

^*Please note, this is not clinical or diagnostic advice. Chronic stress can be a serious issue. Please seek medical support if you are concerned for your health.