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What can we do about our automatic stress responses?
Just knowing this is how our brain works can help.
It means that we can practise noticing the feeling of stress being released
into our body – the affect I mentioned earlier. Everyone feels it differently
so it is about becoming really body aware.
As soon as we experience the unpleasant feeling, we can do different things
to help:
1. Calm your brain with the evidence: say out loud ‘Ah! It is my brain
thinking this is a real danger but it is just an interview! It is that pesky
cortisol stress chemical being released but I am actually quite safe!”
2. Tell someone you trust or give them a hug – feeling supported and
cared for releases oxytocin which blocks the stress chemical cortisol.
3. Take some breaths
4. Walk, jump or stretch – physical exercise releases some of those Feel
Good Chemicals and blocks the stress chemical cortisol.