Let's begin by looking at how you are managing stress in your life. Do you have any general strategies you use such as taking a walk, listening to music, doing a hobby, exercising, reading or talking with a friend?

Are you using any specific stress management techniques right now? Do you do yoga, deep breathing, tai chi, qigong, meditation, guided imagery, prayer or some other practice?

If you use any of these specific stress management techniques, think about which help you.

• How much they are helping you?
• Which did not help you at all?
• Notice how consistent you are in doing your practice
• Notice things that get in the way of your practice
• How long did you try to practice a technique before you said it was not working?

What are some of the barriers that prevented you from being successful in a practice?

• It could be a phone ringing, traffic noise, an uncomfortable position...
• Why do you think it hasn't worked?
• Is there anything you could change to help it work?
• Have you tried to remove the distractions that may be interfering - such as finding a quieter space, finding a more comfortable seat or position, or unplugging the phone?
• Maybe it would help you if you made a list of these distractions - then you can slowly try to correct or eliminate the things that are in your way

You may also want to print out the Holistic Self-Assessment Form to help you look at the affect of stress on your emotional and physical health and how you are managing it. This can give you a new understanding of the role of stress management in your life both before and after surgery.

Click here to print out your Holistic Self-Assessment Form

If you are not doing any relaxation practice, are you open to trying one or two of the following techniques?

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