You have found two very rationale actions to be taken if you are stressed. Prioritizing is a good way of seeing your task clear and getting an orderly look at how to accomplish the task. This sometimes like counting to 10 when you are angry is gives you a momemt to think through the situation. Writing puts your thoughts into a concrete visible perspective. You can then clearly think through the situation and slow down your thought process to respond by writing it down. Your brain may have had high emotions in control of your inner thoughts but now other faculties of your brain take over and you can become more calm and clear.