When stress and running errands collide.

(read time 1:45 min)

It may not always be frustrating, but you will always have errands to run. When you are already stressed, the list usually grows before you get a chance to tackle it. The longer you wait to get it done, the longer the list gets, the more places you will need to go to get it all done, and the more frustrating the whole thing will feel. Leading to more stress.

Your Boost

The next time stress allows your errand to-do list to get long enough to raise your blood pressure, do this even before you start planning your route: Reappraise your pre-emptive feelings of frustration and suppress the need to rush through it.

Yes, I get it. You just want it all done, and done as fast as possible. But the combination of baseline stress, plus dread (due to traffic, lines, etc.) plus the anxiety of wanting to rush is a recipe for emotional disaster.

Remind yourself of what you can’t control (the traffic, the lines, etc.). Tell yourself “I am not in a rush.” Take a deep breath, put on a good playlist and zen through it. Rinse lather and repeat as many times as needed until you are safely back home, errand list crossed off.

The Science

Cognitive reappraisal is a way to consciously look at what feels negative, and then change the way you decide to think about the situation in order to change its impact on how you feel. While most research focuses on using this in big ways, I find that starting small, like with running errands, is a great way to build this resilience muscle.

Take Home

The higher your baseline stress, the more likely that to-dos will make you frustrated. Start building your resilience now by using cognitive reappraisal to knock back negative emotions about the things you can’t control in life, and find yourself in a more peaceful flow.