Today, Stress Less! Here’s How…

It's been well documented that stress can have some horrifying health consequences. Heart disease, high blood pressure, excess weight and digestive disorders are just a few of the more common problems seen as a result of unmanaged stress. If concern for these future potential health issues doesn't encourage you to consider learning some stress management techniques, consider the impact stress has on your everyday existence - from productivity to your overall enjoyment of life. Feeling stressed out can make you irritable, unpleasant, impatient, anxious, scatter brained, and just plain unhappy. Who can get anything done when feeling so awful??

Stress is terrible for productivity. Wait. Let me amend that statement: High levels of stress are terrible for productivity. There is such a thing as a healthy amount of stress. But a little bit goes a long way. Feeling a small amount of stress helps keep you on track, motivated, focused, and energized. Without a little stress, we'd probably become lethargic, unenthusiastic, complacent and just generally bored.

Stress becomes a problem when it's out of control. When stress overwhelms you it's no longer motivating. Unchecked stress leaves you feeling scared, discouraged and out of control. This is the kind of stress that hinders productivity. When overcome by stress you can no longer focus on what needs to get done. It wastes a lot of precious energy to be stressed! Here are a few ways to get your stress under control before it ends up controlling you:

Breathe and Reboot

When feeling frazzled, don't let yourself get sucked in a tail spin. Stop and compose yourself. Close the door to your office, go take a walk, or just go sit in your car for a minute. Close your eyes and take ten deep breaths. Inhale for 6 seconds through your nose, pause, then exhale with a loud, long "HA" sound through your mouth for 6 seconds. Then repeat. This will help clear your mind. Don't rush yourself to get back to work. Take the time you need to calm down and gather yourself.

Clear Your Desk and Make a List

I do this on a regular basis, whenever I'm feeling out of focus. It's simple: move every pile of paper off your desk until the entire area is spotless. This in itself feels fantastic. Then, make an enormous list of the to-do items swimming around in your head. Many times, stress comes from a perception that there is too much to do and not enough time. Making a list can help you focus on the reality of your situation. You can then look at it objectively and prioritize. If the number of things you need to do truly outweighs the time you have in which to do them, see the next step...

Ask For Help

Nothing can help ease stress like a helping hand. You'll be surprised how willing and happy your co-workers, friends, and family members are to support you. All you have to do is ask. Don't let your pride or ego get in the way. We all need help once in a while. Put aside your need to be seen as "put together". No one will judge you. In fact, people will probably love to know that you get overwhelmed and stressed out too. It may even bring you closer to some of your co-workers. It feels good to help others so let them help you.

Set Appropriate Priorities

In my last job, I was constantly overwhelmed with work. I used to stay until 8 o'clock at night and come in the next day at 6 a.m. just to try to keep up with it all. And I always felt behind! The problem wasn't the amount of work, it was the fact that I had no idea what the priorities really were. I felt like it all had to be done immediately so, as soon as I got another task, I felt pressure to get it completed. This is an incredibly stressful way to work.

Lower your stress by setting appropriate priorities for the tasks in front of you. Realize that everything can't be finished immediately. You have to go home sometimes with tasks still "pending". Don't try to finish it all before you leave each day or you'll end up there until midnight. Know what is critical and what can be postponed. Set clear guidelines so others know what to expect. Work with your boss and co-workers to determine what is appropriate and don't let others pressure you. Remember the old saying, "Lack of preparation on your part, doesn't make an emergency on my part". Of course, you always want to be a team player, but don't let others pressure you into feeling that everything is your immediate priority. Set your standards, clearly define them for others, and stick to them.

Enjoy Your Life

The best tool for stress relief is to simply enjoy your life: spend lots of quality time with your loved ones, actively pursue your dreams, and never get so caught up making a living that you forget to make a life. Have fun, fall in love, and dance. These are my 3 keys to stress-free living.