How to Use Positive Reframe Strategies for Stress Relief

How to Use Positive Reframe Strategies for Stress Relief Stress Management Management Techniques Print How to Use Positive Reframe Strategies for Stress Relief By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Updated on July 31, 2019 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living Ezra Bailey/Getty Images   Sometimes when a day seems stressful or overwhelming, relaxation is just a positive reframe away. Positive reframe strategies take the stress out of stressors â€" when we reframe, we look at the same situation in a new way that highlights possibilities rather than the threats involved.  Viewing our stressors as challenges that we can face, even opportunities, rather than mere threats to our happiness, can help us out of feeling trapped. Once we broaden our perspectives with positive reframes, we are able to see more opportunities.  More importantly, we can feel less stressed almost immediately.  Try the following positive reframe strategies below. They can turn your next bad day into a day of new possibilities. Examine Whats Stressing You. Rather than  ruminating in feelings of frustration and helplessness, look at your situation with fresh eyes. What aspects of your situation are stressing you the most? What needs do you have that arent being met? Where do you feel a lack of control? Become aware, if you arent already, of the parts of your situation that you would most like to change if you could.Look for What You Can Change. This first step may seem obvious, but its not always done. When you reframe, you change your perspective on things. When looking for what you can change, brainstorm for as many possibilities as you can, without judging right away if you can or cant do them. Instead of thinking, I wish I could change this, or even, Can I change this?, try thinking, How can I change this? You may not be able to change everything, but with a positive reframe of the situation, you may see possibilities you werent aware of before.Look for Benefits. If youre in a situation you truly cant ch ange, or if there are aspects you cant change, you can reframe your thoughts and change the way you feel about it by finding benefits in the situation you face. What opportunities might be found amidst the rubble? What strengths might you have gained by simply working through this? When youre looking for benefits, it doesnt mean you gloss over negatives; you simply notice positives as well and focus on them.Find the Humor. Have you ever felt that someday youll look back at this and laugh? Why not let someday be today, and laugh now? When you reframe for humor, you find the aspects of your situation that are so absurd that you cant help but laugh. You can often turn the most stressful aspects of a situation into the funniest, and share those bits of humor with those closest to you (or your 600 closest friends on Facebook) and receive support in the form of shared laughter. Find the humor in a stressful situation and the benefits of laughter as you reframe your way into a good laugh. Tips Learn more about the differences between optimists and pessimists, and the benefits of optimism. Test your current status (optimist vs. pessimist) and learn to be more of an optimist while youre at it.Maintaining a gratitude journal is a great way to naturally work toward altering your outlook and honing your knack for the positive reframe. Its easy, too, so I encourage you to start tonight.