Adapt

Thinking you can't cope is one of the greatest stressors. That's why adapting — which often involves changing your standards or expectations — can be most helpful in dealing with stress.

• Adjust your standards. Do you need to vacuum and dust twice a week? Would macaroni and cheese be an unthinkable substitute for homemade lasagna? Are your expectations unreasonable? Redefine success and stop striving for perfection, and you may operate with a little less guilt and frustration. For many tasks and chores, "good enough" is usually fine.
• Practice thought-stopping. Stop gloomy thoughts immediately. Refuse to replay a stressful situation as negative, and it may cease to be negative.
• Reframe the issue. Try looking at your situation from a new viewpoint. Instead of feeling frustrated that you're home with a sick child, look at it as an opportunity to bond, relax and finish a load of laundry.
• Adopt a mantra. Create a saying such as, "I can handle this" or "I can do this" and mentally repeat it in tough situations.
• Create an assets column. Imagine all the things that bring you joy in life, such as vacations, children and pets. Then call on that list when you're stressed. It will put things into perspective and serve as a reminder of life's joys.
• Look at the big picture. Ask yourself, "Will this matter in a year or in five years?" The answer is often no. Realizing this makes a stressful situation seem less overwhelming.