I love this approach you have decided to take. I sometimes go through lots of stress myself and when I start feeling overwhelmed by all of it, I just take a pause and afterwards think of a better approach which will sometimes help me realize that all I had to do is take things slow or in bits instead of trying to fit it all in at once.
The pause strategy isn't a bad way to go, but sometimes one can't simply pause because things need to get done so other techniques are needed. Like you say though, sometimes a little detachment from the situation can help one redefine how it's approached.