Responding To A Crisis
A crisis can present in many different forms, from the death of a loved one, to loss of a job, to collapse of a marriage, to financial disaster. When we are hit by a crisis, an emotional storm whips through our mind and body, tossing painful thoughts and feelings in all directions. No one wants a crisis, but we will all inevitably experience them. So when it happens, let’s turn it into an opportunity to develop important coping skills, using the acronym: S.T.O.P.

Slow your breathing
Take a few deep breaths, and mindfully observe the breath flowing in and out. This will help to anchor you in the present.

Take note
Take note of your experience: consciously notice what you are thinking, feeling and doing. Notice how your thoughts and feelings are swirling around, and can easily carry you away if you allow them.

Open up
Open up around your feelings. Breathe into them and make room for them. Open up around your thoughts too: take a step back and give them some room to move, without holding onto them or trying to push them away.

Pursue your values
Once you’ve done the above three steps, you will be in a mental state of mindfulness. The next step is to pursue a course of action, guided by your values. Ask yourself, “What do I want to be about, in the face of this crisis? What do I want to stand for? How would I like to act, so that I can look back years from now and feel proud of my response? What personal strengths can I cultivate during this process?” Use these values to guide what you do next.
To download a free handout on coping with crisis (which includes the above acronym) click here:
http://www.thehappinesstrap.com/upimages/What_To_Do_In_A_Crisis.pdf.pdf

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Russ Harris