Tips for Communicating Under Stress
How many times have you been able to convey your point when you are feeling stressed or frustrated? All the time? Rarely? Never? It’s difficult to communicate when we are being flooded with different emotions and this makes it easier to for people to misinterpret the meaning. To avoid miscommunicating when under pressure, following these strategies can help to ensure you express your thoughts effectively. Clear and consistent communication is vital to successfully maintaining healthy relationships. Here is a roadmap for communication: "SPAR".
Stop, breathe, and count to 10: When we are faced with a stressful situation it can be hard to think. Pause, take a deep breath, collect your thoughts, and think before you speak.
Prioritize: Be aware of your stressors and ask yourself, what is most important? What can wait? This will help you to focus and determine the next steps toward working through a stressful or difficult conversation.
Ask for help: If you feel overwhelmed during stressful communication ask to take a quick break to gather your thoughts and come back with an open mind. Talking to a friend or trusted colleague for advice can help alleviate stress and give you a clear path forward.
Response and delivery: Focus on using "I feel..." statements while communicating to avoid putting the blame on others. Be conscious of word choice, using neutral language can help diffuse rather than escalate which can make the situation worse.
