It’s the beginning of the year and most of us have been fortunate enough to have had a break and relax. But as soon as you’re back in the office, the phone starts ringing, people start letting you down and you feel that familiar feeling of anxiety and stress rising within you.
There are four pillars that support stress management and if you develop these pillars, your world will be easier and you will be able to deal with stressful situations much more effectively. These pillars are:
1. Nutrition
- No more than two cups of coffee (caffeine) a day.
- Avoid fast food when possible.
- Eat lots of fruit and vegetables.
- Avoid eating at your desk.
- Allow your body some time to digest food before getting to work again.
- Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.
- No snacking on junk food.
- Read labels so you can avoid “high-carb” anything.
2. Exercise
- Experts differ but exercise at least 20 min. three times a week.
- Walking is a great form of exercise.
- If your day is really busy set the alarm a half-hour earlier and exercise when there is less to distract you.
- Stretching is good exercise we can do anywhere.
- Walking during your lunch hour rather than sitting at your desk can improve both health and efficiency.
- If your willpower is low, find a buddy.
3. Relationships
- Everybody needs a friend at work.
- Learn that it is O.K. to ask for help.
- Smile more often.
- Get to know your next-door neighbour.
- Offer to do something for someone else with no expectation of thanks or payment. Support is reciprocal. Support them and they support you.
- Don’t whine. Nobody wants to be around a whiner.
- Have a positive relationship with yourself.
- Listen to what your inner voice is saying and make that voice positive.
4. Relaxation
- Remember to breathe.
- Deep breathing gets blood to our brain and rids our bodies of toxins.
- Music helps us relax. Lively music perks us up and slower music helps us slow down.
- Exercise is a form of relaxation.
- While a shower is invigorating, a long soak in a tub can be very relaxing.
- Learn how to give a massage and teach your partner how to give you a massage in return.
- Practice regularly.
Click here for our Stress Management workshop outline
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