Many don’t recognise that stress is an important factor in workplace performance, health, motivation and engagement. Positive stress is actually called Eustress, but when the balance tips and it becomes more negative, it is Distress. A word we are more familiar with I am sure. So my tips are not about eliminating stress completely but getting the balance right.
1. Recognise and differentiate between good stress and negative stress.
+Eustress can be a good thing, helping our bodies and brains stay sharp and alert, ready to react to any surprises life throws in our way. In fact, it is important we embrace positive stress as it can motivate and engage us in tasks and challenges. -Distress or Chronic stress can be damaging, triggering a host of maladies including heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety.
2. Think like a professional sportsperson – one play at a time.
Accept that you may win some and lose some – sometimes in streaks. Stress can overwhelm us and often is built on when further pressures hit us or add to our to-do list. It feels like a losing streak. It is inevitable that some things have to drop, so prioritise and tackle the things that really matter one play at a time. Every new action gives you an opportunity for a new, positive mental approach to the task and to create early wins that build into winning streaks.
3. Practice emotional ‘moment-management’.
How many times have you read THAT email from your boss on a Friday night and it’s played on your mind over the weekend? It is hard to compartmentalise at times. But it is only one email in the context of so many other things. Moment management allows you to take a step back and see the issue, message, challenge in the context of
the bigger picture and allows you to consider your response then or later. Once you have your decision, do it. In this case, call your manager and talk it through. It will relieve the stress valve.
4. Minimize & amp; manage your internal monologue and the replaying of certain situations.
This is easier said than done of course! But much of our negative stress can seem even greater due to our
internal thought processes, re-playing of the conversations or situations, regret or other elements.
The internal monologue. This can add a significant burden to some and it takes self-coaching, sharing
with others and often talking it through for clarity to emerge.
5. Think of people you admire as being resilient and develop some of the most suited traits for yourself.
Talk to them and ask them how they handle stress and deal with pressure. It will help!
6. Invest in and Look after yourself – healthy body, healthy mind.
Practice wellbeing techniques, get out in the open air. Play sport, go for a walk. All of these allow you to reclaim your space and provide thinking time or even time out from what stressors are impacting you. 30 minutes of exercise
kick-start your brain’s release of feel-good endorphins. It’s why we often feel better about things after we do gym activities or team sports.
