What is the first step in the four-step plan to gain control of your body when faced with stress?

• A. Stop whatever you are doing
• B. Breathe slowly and deeply
• C. Reflect about the problem at hand
• D. Choose how you want to deal with it

Answer: (A)

When stress hits, the body and mind tend to react quickly and impulsively. The first step is to stop what you’re doing. This pause interrupts that automatic urge to react and creates space to reset your body and choose a calmer, more deliberate response.

Pausing sets up the conditions for effective coping: you can then slow your breathing to reduce arousal, take a moment to reflect on what’s happening, and decide how you want to handle it. Skipping the stop can keep you locked in a reactive loop, making it harder to use those calmer strategies successfully.