Strategies - Overview

There are times at work when you could feel overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, angry, or annoyed.  Sometimes people behave inappropriately when they feel this way.  They might yell, hit, throw things, or have a panic attack.  Some of these responses could get you fired.

Rather than behaving inappropriately, you should have a coping plan in place.  Do your coping plan when you feel overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, angry, or annoyed.  Your coping plan should make you feel calmer, so that you can return back to work and behave appropriately.

The first step to every coping plan is to take a short break to cool down. Try to take your break in an area by yourself.  Calmly walk to a quiet location.  Here are ideas for places to take a break:

• Restroom
• Office
• Storage area
• Break room
• Outdoors
• Your car
• Empty stairwell
• Work station or desk

Remember that you are at work, so you probably cannot be gone for more than 10-15 minutes. 

Then, engage in your coping plan. You should incorporate one or more of the strategies (described in the next sections) into your coping plan.