Are you having trouble sleeping? Do you find it difficult to meet deadlines, concentrate or make decisions at work? Are you often sick? Do you snap at others for trivial things? These are all signs that stress has reared its ugly head into your life.
A little bit of stress isn’t bad. It can sharpen focus and improve memory. An overscheduled, out-of-control lifestyle, however, will quickly turn good stress into chronic stress, which can cause everything from poor performance at work to dire health conditions. No matter the severity, too much stress is a problem that deserves attention.
Here is a list of ten ways to start transforming your persistent, unhealthy stress into manageable, healthy stress.
By creating a tangible list, you’ll be able to start mentally configuring when you plan to accomplish your tasks. It’s also very satisfying to be able to physically cross things off your list. By prioritizing your list, you’ll be able to see which items are important and really need to get done and which items can wait or be disregarded altogether. Don’t be afraid to blow off menial, unnecessary tasks to give you a bit of a time cushion.
Short breaks throughout the day are important. They allow you to take a few deep breaths and clear your mind before you return to your daily tasks. Grab a bite to eat or a cup of coffee. Take a short walk or a power nap. Do whatever helps you unwind.
Be honest about what you are truly capable of accomplishing, and be reasonable about the time it will take you to do the work. If you can write up a five-page report in two hours, don’t give yourself 45 minutes to do it. You’re going to end up stressing yourself out and throwing everything together haphazardly.
Nobody wants to be responsible for poor-quality work, but not everything has to be perfect either. If you’re putting together an important in-depth presentation for an investor, then you’ll want to spend sufficient time perfecting it. If you’re just putting together a quick and basic presentation for some of your employees, then don’t be afraid to say “this is good enough.”
If it would add way too much to your plate, then decline, or at least explain that it can’t be done in the time frame or to the quality that you would ordinarily be capable of. If you can’t realistically do it but still feel it’s really important, then try to delegate the task to someone who can.
If your entire life (or certain aspects of your life) is in disarray, then getting organized will help you remove a ton of stressors from it. Find the areas in your life where you’re losing control and develop a plan to regain it. For example, if your desk is in shambles, schedule time to create a workable system for keeping it organized. Establish routines wherever possible and stick to them.
Eating right, getting plenty of sleep and exercising on a regular basis are great ways to relieve stress. Eating healthy, low-fat foods replenishes the energy that stress takes out of you. Getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night not only reduces stress, but it also increases your energy levels—allowing you to be more productive the next day. Regular exercise releases endorphins that can soothe your racing mind and ease insomnia.
Don’t get frazzled every time your plans need to be modified. The life of a small business owner can be crazy and hectic, particularly during the startup stages. You have to be willing to roll with it and adapt to whatever changes come your way.
Discussing your stress can help you see things more clearly, get emotional support and release tension. If a friend or family member doesn’t understand your stress because he/she doesn’t understand your work, then talk it out with a mentor or someone likely to get where you’re coming from.
Smile, laugh, have a good time. Life is short, so try to keep it all in perspective.
