Relieving Stress
Friday has arrived once more, and maybe you find yourself feeling the pressure and stress of whatever still sits on your list from this week. Here are my tips for some relieving stress quickly, and quite simply.
Today, I have a Friday reframe just for you…This week we’re putting a little twist on stress.
When you’re chronically stressed, your body produces adrenalin & cortisol, reducing functions that would be nonessential or detrimental in a fight-or-flight situation, in effect your brain to stops functioning in some the usual ways.
A new approach to stress: Stop trying; rest, ease, switch strategically.
In short, your ability to think logically becomes very limited. If you imagine that your thoughts are usually traveling on a freeway with lots of lanes, and many off ramps, under duress (stress) that freeway becomes an alleyway with far fewer turn offs. And that means that you are aware of fewer options, so you won’t be making the best choices.
You literally can’t think straight, so your decision making abilities, your creativity and your rational thinking are all stunted.
So when you feel the mind-freezing, chest-tightening, breath-shallowing effect of stress, it’s time to try something new… Here’s a little stress relief.
Stress Relief
Feeling stressed? Stop whatever you’re doing, or obsessively thinking about, and not able to even begin. Take a walk, play some music, dance a little, call a friend. The trying ends here. Take time for a break, and get your brain and body focused on something entirely different for at least 30 minutes. And then, tune in to yourself, and your inner state. Notice you’re a little calmer, you can breathe a little deeper, and you’ve stopped obsessing about your list, or task.
Take a New Approach
Now approach your work from a different angle. Get another opinion on how to do something. Brainstorm 5 different ways you could deal with a challenge – the sillier the better. Write ideas on post-it notes and stick them on the walls. As it says in our Stress Friday reframe switch your thinking strategically, and start moving in a different direction, and soon you’ll notice you’re back on top and moving in the direction of progress. You’re thinking more clearly and have a fresh start.