A Message from Noelyne....
MORE STRESS MANAGEMENT
As the following diagram shows some stress is good and vital for performance however, if not managed well it can lead to exhaustion and distress. Read read the tips below for ideas on how to overcome stress.
Tips for Overcoming and Managing stress. Keeping stress at a healthy level so that you benefit from it.
Acknowledge that stress is good and make stress your friend! Based on the body’s natural “fight or flight” response that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. I’ve yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition, although Usain Bolt does a pretty good impression of being stress free. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.
What I mean by this is that negative people can be a huge stressor. Negativity breeds stress and some people know how to do nothing but complain. Now you can look at this in one of two ways. First, they see you as a positive, upbeat person and hope that you can bring them back “up”. If that’s not it, then they’re just a negative person and can’t feel better about themselves unless those around them are negative as well.
Don’t get caught up in their downing behavior. Recognize that these kinds of people have their own stress and then limit your contact with them. You can try to play stress doctor and teach them how to better manage their stress, but be aware that this may contribute more to your own stress, so tread lightly.
- Copy good stress managers
When people around are losing their head, which keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced? Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do. This goes for learning from successful people too. So if someone has what you want look at what it is that they do and say and then copy them but in your own style.
Yes I give you permission to do some heavy breathing. You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.
- Stop stress thought trains
It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. “If this happens, then that might happen and then we’re all up the creek!” Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly? How does worrying help?
Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks.
- Know your stress hot spots and trigger points
Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines……. Do these crank up your heart rate just thinking about them!
Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee?
Knowing what causes your stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to de-caffeinated coffee?
- Eat, drink, sleep and be merry!
Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreaks havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it’s often ignored as a stress management technique. Listen to your mother and don’t burn the candle at both ends!
- Avoid using artificial means to dealing with your stress.
That means don’t automatically pour a glass of wine when you think you’re getting stressed out and don’t light up a cigarette. In actuality, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and drugs can make the problem worse. A better idea is to practice relaxation techniques. Then, once you’re relaxed, you can have that glass of wine if you want.
- Go outside and enjoy Mother Nature.
This is one of my favourite. When I recognise that I'm stressed one of the first things I do is take a walk round the block. A little sunshine and activity can have amazing ramifications on your stress level and will enhance your entire outlook towards life. Your improved attitude will have a positive effect on everyone in your family and/ or circle of friends; things which seem overwhelming will soon become trivial matters, causing you to wonder what the predicament was.
Not only will you be less stressed, you will be healthier, happier, and more energetic; ready to face whatever obstacles come your way.
- Give yourself permission to be a 'kid' again.
What did you enjoy when you were a child? Draw; paint; be creative. Play with Play- dough, dance, or read. Play music, allow yourself freedom to express yourself without worry that you're not keeping with the image of who you are 'supposed' to be. Just relax and enjoy yourself. You have a little child in you and it's a good idea to allow expression of the child within from time to time. I love to turn the music up load and then dance around the kitchen. Even my partners teenagers love it when I do air guitar.
- Don't set unrealistic for goals for yourself.
How often have you set yourself up for defeat simply by setting unrealistic goals for yourself? For example, if you are dieting, realize you cannot lose 40 pounds in one or two months.
Or maybe you are trying to reach a goal of obtaining a particular job position; whatever your goal is allow sufficient time to reach your goals and realize occasional setbacks may occur.
If you reach your goal without any delays, you will be even happier with yourself for arriving quicker than you planned, but don't expect it. In fact don't expect anything; expectations and reality are often two entirely different things.
- Learn it is OK to say 'no' occasionally.
Do you feel you have to say 'yes' to everyone, every time you are asked for help and feel that you must respond in a positive fashion? Remember, you cannot be all things to all people. You must first meet your own needs before you can truly give others what they need while at the same time keeping yourself happy.
You do not have to do everything your family and friends. Of course you can help others, but first make sure you have done what is necessary to take care of yourself.
Make time for yourself, your number one priority; once your own needs are met you will find you have more time for others. And you may find more pleasure in helping others when you don't feel that you must always put others needs before your own.
Enjoy the process of life and turn stress to your advantage,
Noelyne Jones
P.S. Free Special Report on How to Overcome your Fears -
Get it here
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