(ThyBlackMan.com) Here are some practical suggestions for staying safe and well during stressful times.
Limit Multi-tasking
Know when it is safe to multi-task…and when it is better to focus on one activity at a time. One of the biggest causes of avoidable accidents is trying to do too many things at once. Especially when your goal is to become more productive, if you are not functioning well, it is better to succeed at one task than fail at many. Know when to SLOW THE GO…
It is particularly important to concentrate and be careful while driving, going down stairs, near a slippery surface, in an unfamiliar location or in a rush. If it is your tendency to multi-task, try this simple technique to help 
stay focused: Make a statement about the activity you are actually doing (perhaps silently), “I am cutting the vegetables,” or ” I am stepping out of the shower.”
Careful with Major Life Changes
Sometimes when life seems to be in flux anyway, it can get tempting to make additional dramatic shifts. Be on the lookout for choices that may be better to postpone until a time in your life when you are more relaxed and able to think clearly.
For example, if you have lost your job and start feeling more frustrated with your home life, it may not be the time to decide to get a divorce also. If money is part of the problem, creating a whole second household may just add to your problems. If you had a basically strong partnership prior to losing your job, it may be worth waiting until your current situation improves before giving it up. Hardly anyone is at their best during stressful times.
Create a Wisdom Council
When you are in a state of shock, grief, depression or anxiety it becomes easy to lose perspective on your own circumstances. Figure out whom in your life you can turn to for advice you respect during times like these. Maybe different friends or family members are better at making suggestions depending on the topic.
If it is hard to share information with people in your personal life for some reason, look for a mentor, life coach, religious leader or therapist with whom to discuss your current challenges.
Easy on the Chemicals
Many strong emotions can naturally produce changes in our body chemistry. For example, anger is generally very stimulating and sadness tends to make people feel tired and low energy. If one of your goals is to stabilize your emotions so that you can think and function more effectively, be aware of the amount of alcohol, caffeine, and other mood altering substances you are taking in when you are already feeling unstable.
Suppose you are sad for some reason, and maybe have a slight cold or the flu, under those circumstances “a few glasses of wine” may have a stronger effect on your body then when you are feeling better. For a person already feeling tense, scared, or angry which are all energizing, having extra caffeine or other stimulants may make those feelings even stronger.
Add More Personal Care
The more difficulties you are facing, the better you should treat yourself. If you are in a position of “care-giving” for children, parents, a sick pet, or friend, you need to find ways to rejuvenate and protect yourself also.
When life is moving quickly and one feels burdened with deadlines and responsibilities, it is useful to know how to take breaks for enjoyment. Unfortunately, the busier one is, the harder it can be to think of effective ways to relax. It becomes easy to reach for treats like rich foods, large amounts of alcohol or drugs, or other forms of release that may produce some negative consequences. Try making a list of your favorite activities and creative comforts that you can refer to quickly when you need a way to pamper yourself.
Nutrition and Hydration
Most any type of stress (even excitement) can tighten the muscles of the body and create a flow of energy that can leave one feeling depleted eventually. Pay attention to whether you are taking in enough high-quality food and staying well hydrated.
Be aware of what you are choosing to eat and drink. There are foods that have very little nutrition, and some beverages contain caffeine and alcohol, which can actually have a dehydrating effect on the body. It is possible to eat even a large quantity of food that has low amounts of nutrition, and find yourself suffering from low energy, difficulty concentrating, and irritability or moodiness from a lack of protein, fiber, vitamins and fluids. Many types of drugs, both prescription and non-prescriptions, can make a person more dehydrated also.
Exercise with Care
Being physically active is a useful part of stress reduction under the right circumstances. Times when you are experiencing strong emotions can make it easier to get injured though, if you are not paying enough attention while you exercise.
It is important to match your mood to the form and intensity of movement you are choosing. Suppose you are super frustrated after a fight with your boss at work, it may be better to go for a hike, walk at the beach, or spend some time on a treadmill before trying something risky like heavy strength training. If a person is in an angry mood, they would have enough power to do strength training, but may lack the control and body awareness it takes to do it without injury.
Watch the Calendar
It can help to mark important dates like birthdays, memorial times of someone passing, and for women, when you expect your menstrual cycle in your calendar. In addition to the normal ups and downs of daily life, you may be feeling an additional amount of emotion due to your body responding to a meaningful date in your life. This can happen even on an unconscious level.
An example could be a man who has gone through a painful divorce and finds himself more upset and reckless while driving. It could turn out that day had been his wedding anniversary and he was not even aware of it. The same is easily true for women who are prone to moodiness the days before their menstrual cycle arrives. They may find themselves yelling or crying in a way that feels extreme–even to them selves. Many women are better able to calm themselves when they can identify symptoms due to the drop in hormones they are experiencing.
Prioritize Yourself
There is a difference between being “selfish” and making sure that you are taking good care of yourself. If you are a person with many responsibilities, it becomes extra important to keep yourself healthy, calm, and high functioning.
In the short run, it may feel “selfish” to tell a person who is relying on you that you are unable to help them sometimes. Overall though, you cannot resume your position as a care provider when you become ill, depressed, or overwhelmed. Finding this balance can be challenging, but if you make staying well your #1 priority, you will be a more capable person for a longer period of time.
These are just a few of the many practical, body-focused strategies we will be discussing here on Body Aware Grieving.
Staff Writer; Margo Rose
Margo Rose is the chief blogger of http://www.BodyAwareGrieving.com.
Her practical website is devoted to helping people stay healthy during sad times.
