Today we’re continuing our series on stress management. We’re particularly focusing on the individual’s approach to overcoming stress and the personal strategies you can begin to implement in your own life to combat stress and live a healthier lifestyle with a better work/balance.
According to the Management Study Guide website, “Employees stress is a growing concern for organisations today. Stress is the response of people to the unreasonable [or] excessive pressure or demands placed on them. Stress is not always negative [however]. It may also bring out the best in individuals at times. It may induce an individual to discover innovative and smarter way of doing things.”
Wouldn’t it be great to say that stress brings out your best? Or to say that stress allows you to innovate and become even more productive? It may sound impossible, but it’s not. Many individuals use stress as a way to elevate themselves and make the most of their situation. In fact, there’s a saying that goes as so: “Stress causes some people to break and others to break records.”
If you want to be the type of person who breaks records even when under the pressure of stress, it’s essential that you learn how to better cope with stress when it surfaces. Below are some tips to help you do just that.
- Physical exercise. In addition to keeping you fit and aiding in effective blood circulation, physical exercise releases endorphins. These endorphins in turn help to elevate your mood. The next time you’re stressed, go for a run or brisk walk. You may be surprised to find how the stress easily melts away.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Wellness is more than just exercise. Are you getting a full night’s sleep every day? Do you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water during the day? Do you eat foods that energize and help you work at optimal levels? These all play a part in helping your body build a defense against the effects of stress.
- Implement relaxation techniques. Perhaps one of the strongest tools in your stress management arsenal will be your go-to techniques for relaxation. Whether it’s yoga, meditation, music, reading, or something else entirely, think about activities that soothe your mind and bring you peace. Then make sure they’re a regular part of your day.
- Pick up a hobby. Our lives aren’t meant to revolve primarily around the workplace. Find something you enjoy such as a sport or other activity and pursue it regularly. Not only will you give your mind an opportunity to breathe outside of ‘work mode’, but you’ll strengthen it by learning something new, which in turn will boost your confidence and usher in happiness.
- Schedule in social time. Social support is absolutely vital to overcoming stress. Close connections with those we trust help us to feel that there are those we can turn to. This sense of security allows us to internalize the fact that we’re not alone and that we’ll be able to overcome the stressors we face.
Stress is a very real issue in our world today, but when we as individuals learn how to take ownership of our wellbeing, we can create effective defenses against stress that allow us to become resilient and thrive. Which of the above strategies will you begin implementing into your life this week?