Stress Management
1. Recognise
Are there particular situations or people that stress you out? Start by recognizing such “pitfalls” so you can handle them constructively when they show up.
2. Breathe
When people are stressed or nervous they usually tend to breathe fast and shallow. When you are stressing in your mind, your body is stressing as well. Muscles have to work harder, blood pumps faster, you get tense and so on. The whole process makes it very hard to think clearly. So, take several deep breaths whenever you are stressed. Allow air to pass through your body. It will help you relax
3. Stop
Once you have identified a stressful situation and recognize the pattern, state to yourself that you are stressed. At this point you are able to decide whether you want to continue OR if you want to do something different with this situation. Such decision making creates a feeling of control.
4. Sleep
Regular sleep is vital for maintaining low stress levels. Avoid sleeping in excessively on days off instead try to work out a regular sleep pattern that works for you.
5. Exercise
Great for reducing stress levels – keep it simple and set time aside that you can commit to. Simply going for a 20 minute walk before, after or during work is simple exercise anyone can do daily.
6. Eat regularly and healthily
Avoid sugary foods and caffeine (no matter how much you think you need them) they only give you a short term boost but that’s followed by a come-down period of low energy and higher stress.
7. Water
Drink plenty of water including fresh fruit juices and fruit teas to keep your body as healthy as your mind and remember that dehydration can cause headaches and that means stress!
8. Time Management
Be organised and plan your day so that you can get everything done in a reasonable amount of time
9. Mistakes
Remember that we are all human, we all make mistakes but don’t let them have a negative impact, accept them, learn from them and move on.
10. Delegate
Don’t be a do-it-all, get some help when you are under pressure and share the workload fairly with your team.