Use the REST Method to Escape Stress and Overwhelm
Your mind is spinning so fast you think your head is going to fly off your shoulders. You become plagued by analysis paralysis. There’s too much to do, so you shut down.
It’s an unhelpful feeling, to say the least. It gets in the way of doing more important things. But it’s impossible to sort through it all and determine what is important.
It all feels important, and it’s all crashing down around you at the same time.
In my last therapy session, I brought up the feeling of overwhelm and how it paralyzes me. We talked about it and he gave me a technique to help curb the overwhelm and anxiety.
Funny enough, it’s called the REST technique.
R: Relax
Pause. The first step is to take a breath and relax. Take off some of the pressure and unwind from the corkscrew that wound you up. Once you relax, you’ll be more equipped to deal with the situation.
E: Evaluate
After relaxing, evaluate the situation. Ask yourself what’s happening physically, mentally, emotionally. What are the facts? This will allow you to take inventory of the situation.
S: Set an intention
You’ve evaluated the situation. Decide what the next step of action will be and focus on that one thing. If you get too far ahead of yourself, you’ll be overwhelmed.
T: Take action
You have a plan of action in mind or at least a next step. Now, it’s time to take action on the intention you set. Proceed mindfully.
It helps to tag a cue onto this so you know when to use it.
What I mean by this is to have a mantra or affirmation you’ve tied to the REST mechanism. It will trigger you to go through the process any time you get stressed out.
My personal mantra is, “Check yourself before you wreck yourself.”
It’s good if you can stay silly and lighthearted. You don’t want something that is disparaging or will bring you down.
Feel free to borrow mine.
Every time you feel stressed out, remind yourself to check yourself before you wreck yourself.
This will cue you to go through the REST process. Relax, Evaluate, Set an intention, and Take action.
Now you’re all set to handle a crisis the next time it comes around.
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