How to Identify Your Tolerations in Life

How to Identify Your Tolerations in Life Stress Management Management Techniques Print How to Identify Your Tolerations in Life By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Updated on October 21, 2019 Dave and Les Jacobs/Getty Images More in Stress Management Management Techniques Physical Techniques Relaxation Time Management Effects on Health Situational Stress Job Stress Household Stress Relationship Stress Your tolerations, or those stressors we encounter in daily life that sap us of our energy, can be difficult to identify at first because weve become so accustomed to tolerating them. They can often blend in with our lifestyles. Fortunately, tolerations are often easy to eliminate. Steps for Eliminating Your Tolerations The first step is to become aware of the tolerations you have in your life and to create a list of tolerations as you become aware of them, so you can eliminate them systematically. Read more on identifying and eliminating tolerations to create a less stressful lifestyle. Make a List Make a list of 50 tolerations in your life. Brainstorm quickly and write them down as soon as they pop into your mind. Remember, these tolerations can be things you must deal with, bad habits you have, things that cause stress, and things you need. Anything that drains energy and causes stressâ€"anything you wouldn’t choose to include in your life, given a choiceâ€"can be considered tolerations. If youre stuck, think about the main categories of your life, including work, school, family, household, and wellness. Take each category and list the related tolerations that come to your mind. For example, work tolerations may include: A messy deskCluttered inboxA co-worker who saps your energyRequirements that are unclearStress from your commuteA less-than-ideal lunch situation How to Better Handle Stress at Work Get Your Friends Involved Ask your friends to identify your main tolerations. Sometimes it takes an outsider’s perspective to help you become more aware of what you’re tolerating  because you may not realize that you don’t have to put up with some of these little stressors in your life. Add them to the list. Keeping Adding to It Over the next few days, maintain an ongoing list of tolerations. Add to the list as you become aware of each new toleration. It may help to keep a small notebook with you, or record them in a list on your computer or cell phone, so it’s always handy. A Word From Verywell This list can be extremely valuable for cutting down on tolerations. It provides you with a roadmap for where to start, and how to know when youve finished making changes that can reduce your stress levels from now on. Once you have the list, the next step is to start eliminating tolerations in a systematic way.