1. I rate my current stressors on a scale of 0-100, with 0 being no stress at all (that never happens!) and 100 being stressed out to the maximum. And good things like graduations and weddings and book launches can also be stressful!2. Then, I rate my current resources on the same scale, from 0 resources to feeling completely resourced at 100.

3. Next, I compare the two numbers. Which number is higher, the stressors or the resources?

4. What comes up for you as you consider this calculation?

5. To support our well-being, we need to feel with have an abundance of resources to meet the stressors in our lives. When I notice that my stressors are outstripping my resources, I look for ways to reduce my stressors, but I also look for ways to increase the resources I can bring to the situation.

6. Resources can include additional health care providers or enlisting the participation of friends and family. Having supportive conversations with others is a resource. Reaching out to a support group is a resource. Spending time with beloved pets is a resource. Reading this newsletter is accessing a resource.

7. What are some of your favorite go-to resources for support when life’s stressors become too burdensome?

8. Do you need to reach out and cultivate additional resources to help manage your current stressors?

Is this exercise helpful to you? Do you have any new insights on what you need? I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can send an email to me at drrobinpfaff@gmail.com.

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In reflecting on this exercise, I realized that one of the reasons we were able to successfully navigate through all the intense life altering events we’ve been through in the past couple of months is that our friends and family and colleagues and service providers and my book publishing team really stepped up and showered us with prayer and love and affection and very practical help in so many ways. In other words, they brought additional resources to us in our time of need.

We continue to be filled with gratitude for the care we received. Thank you to so many of you, my readers, who reached out with love and concern as well! I’m so grateful that it has always been a priority for me, even when I am not feeling well, actually, especially when I am not feeling well, to maintain and cultivate a deep network of supportive relationships. This is not always easy but I do make it a priority. And having this resource, this network of loving relationships makes it easier to manage when stressful events threaten to get out of control.

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Are you curious about whether working with a health coach like me could make a positive difference in managing your stress well and help you be able to do the things that are most important to you?

It’s easy to schedule a Free Fibromyalgia Breakthrough Session with me to see if we would be a good fit to work together HERE.

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