6 Ways to Reduce Your Vulnerability to Stress and Stay Strong
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The acronym STRONG is a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) concept that reminds us of ways we can reduce vulnerability to stress and improve emotional regulation.
STRONG stands for the following:
Sleep only as much as you need – not more, but definitely not less;
Take medications as prescribed (and take care of physical health);
Resist using street drugs or alcohol, and other mood-altering chemicals like excessive caffeine;
Once a day, do something that gives you a sense of mastery. What makes you feel alive? So often when stressed we’re in a constricted states. Our life energy and vitality is compressed. Balance this rhythm by finding something that allows for a feeling of expansion;
Nutrition – are you feeding your body what it needs?;
Get exercise!
For Reflection
How is your stress level?
How many of the 6 are you doing regularly?
What is one thing you could commit to doing a least three times this week to improve your emotional regulation?
