[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ets face it, dealing with stress is a pain and although rubbing your ears humming "woosah" sounds good, it isn't going to be your best option. Unless you're in your psychiatrist's chair.
I know how you feel and battle with this every day, but I've found certain ways to help ward it off.
One of my greatest experiences with stress was when I was managing a $550,000 order that was going well. So I thought. All of the material to fulfill the order was procured and allocated.
Sounds great right?
Wrong! Our customer called me frantic saying that the order they placed was for the wrong product. You can imagine my worry. I felt sick, nauseous and partly delirious.
After a few days of panic I decided to calm down, think it through and fix the situation [Tweet This].
Regardless of how this story started it ended with a great relationship with our customer and a more educated me on how to relax when stressed.
From then on I implemented a few ways to manage my stress which you can benefit from as well.
Get a support group
By having a support group you'll be able to process your thoughts externally. It's fine to think inside your head, but once you verbalize it the vibrations will hit your subconscious and redirect your irrational thoughts. You will also receive valuable advice from your support group.
Don't sit, get up
I've talked about this before but sitting slouched, hovered over your keyboard will only make things worse. Get up and move. I like to reach to the sky and then go straight into a standing hamstring stretch. It loosens you up and gets blood flowing.
Use a Stability ball
A stability ball won't be the "thing" that makes you stress free, but it'll help support proper posture. Proper posture makes you more confident, less tired and less irritable. This doesn't manage your stress but it'll help ward it off before it arrives.
Take deep breaths
By focusing on breaths, you'll briefly forget the worries that are troubling you. Take 15 deep breaths. As you inhale your diaphragm should expand and as you exhale it should contract. Focus only on your breath. By taking these focused deep breaths, more oxygen will reach your vital organs. Nothing like a little brain boost when stressed.
Get some rays
Have you ever gone to the beach or laid by the pool and felt completely relaxed? The sun has a natural calming effect but the added benefits are just being outdoors and getting fresh air. Mother nature is the "pill" to cure your worries.
Office decor
Buy yourself a couple of office plants. By having them in your office they'll help filter and regulate your office atmosphere. And it doesn't hurt visually, especially if you're in a cubicle.
Workout when you get home
Going home and working out is the best way to loosen up and clear the mind. After you'll feel more relaxed and rational.
Tip - Bring a paper and pen incase any thoughts flood your mind. You want to get them out of your head and on paper. This way you can refer back and focus on you and your workout, that's it.
Clear your mind
Easier said than done I know, but clearing your mind has a powerful effect. It declutters your thoughts and grounds you. Your mind races all day long. Slow it down and think about nothing. Get good at meditating each and every day.
Go to bed early
What? There is no way you can get to bed early. Spare me. Yes, you can.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50-70 million adults have sleep or wakefulness disorder. The effects are HUGE. By reducing your sleep by as much as 30 minutes one night it can cut your day time alertness by 32%. Getting more sleep will not only energize you, it'll also significantly reduce your stress levels.
Eat well in the morning
By eating a healthy, well-balanced breakfast you're preparing your body for the full day ahead. Getting these essential nutrients first thing in the morning are key to warding off environmental and office stressors. Focus on quality protein and fat, with a side of berries.
You don't have to use these to cut your stress level, but the max benefit is reached when their all used cohesively.
Once you know how to relax when stressed, your life will seem clearer, your mind will be focused, your thoughts will be sharp and you'll be a better you.