I have always been a crier. Whether I’m happy or sad, frustrated or shocked, tears have tended to be my go-to emotional response.

But throughout the pandemic, the tears dried up and I found myself turning to other coping mechanisms to deal with the daily stress and anxiety of lockdown.

When put under pressure, we all react in different ways, and some are healthier than others. But according to Amy Saltzman, MD, a holistic physician and mindfulness coach, in times of difficulty, our choices don’t always decrease our stress. Sometimes, they actually increase it.

However, writing for Psychology Today, Saltzman puts forward the “PEACE” method as a way that we can help ourselves to heal, while still remaining realistic about the situation and it’s possible outcomes.

The premise is pretty simple. PEACE stands for pause, exhale, acknowledge and allow, choose and engage.

Stress relief: how the “PEACE” method can help manage emotional responses to stressful situations