1. React
Some people handle stress by clamming up and becoming inert, but this only makes the situation worse. When a stressful situation arises, one of the best ways to cope with it is to directly address it. With effective time management you can handle a stressful situation without throwing your schedule too far off. Or, if a situation arises that needs immediate attention at the expense of others, it's important to communicate that fact to your co-workers or whoever else is affected and set about putting things right.
2. Take a Short Break
At the advent of a stressful situation it's often a good idea to step away and take a deep breath before handling it. If you dive right in you may overwhelm yourself. Excuse yourself for a moment, step outside, close your eyes and breathe. Use this time to gather your thoughts and prepare yourself mentally for the challenge. If taking a break would appear a bit unprofessional, then cheat by saying you need to go to the restroom first, or that you want to get a cup of coffee for an energy boost and use that time to your advantage.
3. Put the Situation in a Positive Light
It's easy to think of stressful situations as negative and day-ruining events, but that doesn't make the stress go away--it adds to it. A better way to deal with such a situation is to treat it as an opportunity to shine and a way to impress yourself and those around you. Cope with the initial onset of the situation by taking a breath or a break as outlined above, but then make it a point to smile and remind yourself you can't prevent these situations from happening.
