Stressors
Sustainers

Sustainers Shopping List

You've made the first "cut" about your preferred and less preferred kinds of sustainers. Now it may be helpful to consider some specific possibilities. Feel free to make notes to yourself about any of the following which catch your attention for whatever the reason (e.g., Hmmm, never thought of that one before; What does that mean? Ah, this could work at the times when I _____; This one might be worth looking into.).

STRENGTHEN YOURSELF
  1. Nutrition
  2. Weight control
  3. No smoking
  4. Relaxation
  5. Exercise and physical conditioning
  6. Paying attention to your body and to patterns in your life
CHANGE YOUR MIND
  1. Labeling and relabeling
  2. Letting go
  3. Positive self-talk
  4. Imagination, creativity, imaging
  5. Humor, laughter
  6. Positive denial
  7. Boundaries, balancing
  8. Spirituality, faith
ORGANIZE YOURSELF
  1. Values clarification
  2. Time management
  3. Assertiveness
  4. Listening, empathy, relationship skills
  5. Positive fighting skills
BUILD YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM
  1. Philosophical/spiritual support
  2. Identifying support people in various arenas of your life
  3. Strengths and gaps in support system
  4. Avoiding "two against the world" support systems
  5. Balance: giving and receiving support
  6. Different types, "levels" of support persons