Module Content

Segment One - Accepting the feelings and symptoms of stress as normal

• Introduction to the concept of loop breaking
• Accepting that feeling stressed is normal
• The "volume control" analogy
• How noticing and worrying about the symptoms turn up the "volume control" level.

Segment Two - Why we need to use Indirect Control Techniques

• How trying to directly control the symptoms of stress makes them worse
• An exercise – trying to directly control your heart rate
• Why trying not to think about something instantly brings the thoughts to mind.
• Using our conceptual model of stress to identify what has triggered the stress response today
• Positive ways to raise concerns about workload levels with your manager
• Why identifying what has triggered your stress response helps you cope with the feeling of stress

Segment Three – Re-focusing

• How re-focusing is a process that occurs naturally
• Why people who have "spare mental capacity" often have more problems beating stress and anxiety loops
• How people can deliberately apply the re-focusing process
• Re-focusing if you are on sick leave
• Re-focusing at work
• Why re-focusing is also an excellent general stress management strategy
• The key to ensuring re-focusing works for you

Segment Four – Allow Yourself Time to Feel Well Again

• How and why setting time based expectations of when you will feel well again often traps people in stress and anxiety loops
• When you will feel well again

Segment Five – Overcoming Setback

• Identifying what has triggered the stress and anxiety feeling this time
• Seeing setbacks as a normal part of the recovery process
• Strategies for overcoming setbacks

Segment Six – The Parallels Between Overcoming Stress and Anxiety and Overcoming Grief

• The process of overcoming grief
• The similarities for overcoming stress and anxiety problems
• Why both are "emotional roller coasters"
• The benefits from understanding the recovery process