If you are stressed by crowds and long lines, which stress reduction technique is described as adjusting plans to minimize exposure?

• A. Breathing exercises
• B. Time management
• C. Make adjustments
• D. Avoid crowds entirely

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is coping by changing your plan to reduce how much you’re exposed to the stressor. When crowds and long lines are the trigger, adjusting what you do—like shopping online, choosing off-peak times, or taking less crowded routes—directly lowers the chances you’ll encounter the stressful situation. That makes this approach a proactive, problem-focused way to reduce stress because it modifies the environment or schedule to minimize exposure rather than just reacting to stress after it happens.

Breathing exercises help calm your body once stress is already present, but they don’t reduce how often you face crowds. Time management helps organize tasks, which can lower general pressure, yet it doesn’t specifically address exposure to crowds. Avoiding crowds entirely is sometimes impractical, whereas making adjustments offers a practical middle ground that reduces exposure without complete withdrawal.