Let’s talk about STRESS
Stress does not only affect the mind, it can also affect you on a cellular level. Long-term, stress could lead to a wide range of illnesses — from headaches to stomach disorders to depression — and even increase the risk of medical conditions like stroke and heart disease. This April has been stress awareness month. So, understanding the mind/stress/health connection can help you better manage stress and improve your health and wellbeing going into the next quarter of the year.
Stress can come in three forms:
Acute stress is the most common and frequent form of stress. It is usually brief and most often caused by reactive thinking. Negative thoughts predominate situations or events that have recently occurred or are upcoming.
People who frequently experience acute stress, or whose lives present with frequent triggers of stress, have episodic acute stress. Experiencing frequent acute stress can cause a lot of chaos and crisis in a person’s life.
Chronic stress is the most harmful type of stress. Chronic stress can significantly damage physical health and deteriorate mental health if left untreated.
Ways to manage stress
Practice the ‘Big Three’
Eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep are the cornerstone to a happy, healthy life, and the impact on stress is no different
- Eating a diet full of fresh, whole foods helps the body combat stress naturally. But alcohol, caffeine and nicotine can amplify stress, interfere with sleep and worsen the effects stress has on the body.
- Getting the recommended amount of exercise lowers blood pressure and provides a healthy outlet to relieve stress. Walking, jogging, and swimming have proven to be successful. It is recommended you aim for about 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 days a week.
- Failure to get enough sleep can make it difficult to handle stressful situations and can also increase anxiety and depression. Establishing a healthy sleeping pattern is not hard. Make sure to turn off all electronics at least 30 minutes prior to going to bed and try to establish a calming nighttime ritual such as reading or meditating. This ritual allows the mind to relax and prepare for a restful night’s sleep.
Learn how to relax
It won’t be easy to relax while stressed. So, it is important to find what works best for you and what fits into your lifestyle. The easier it is to do, the more likely you are to make it a habit. You could start with meditation and deep breathing. These are effective ways to feel relaxed and they are easy to do just about anywhere.
Be your own advocate
There are some times you feel overloaded and worn down. It is okay to allow some things take a back seat until you feel up to tackling them. Make a list of situations that could cause potential stress and then figure out which situations you can avoid or improve to manage the outcome.
Smile
Simply smiling can help improve your mood drastically. Laughing is a great way to beat stress and can be good for your health. Take a timeout for a laugh break — watch something funny and enjoy the instant mood lift.
Talk about your problems
Sometimes, all you need to work through stressful situations is talking through a problem. Talking to a trusted friend or family member can go a long way in tackling stress. Talking to a professional can also provide helpful tools to positively deal with stressful scenarios.
Reducing stress in the workplace
Encourage workplace wellness
Encourage employees to go on a walk during lunch breaks. Subsidize gym memberships. Bring a yoga instructor into the office once or twice a month. Hold a steps contest among teams for those who own fitness trackers. Offer healthy snacks in the office. Employees feel valued when they feel employers are looking after their health.
Revamp the habitat
A lot of stress can come from the environment. Think about every aspect of your office space and what it does (or doesn’t do) for the wellness of your team. Update the office to increase employee enjoyment and leave them feeling less stressed.
Allow for flexible hours and remote working
The workplace should not be like a cell, but rather a place that facilitates getting a job done. Let your employees know that their job is defined by the quality and timeliness of their work, not when they punch the clock. Allowing flexibility for start and end times and allowing employees to work remotely is great for office morale.
Encourage social activity
When employees are more comfortable with each other, the less stressed they will be. As coworkers get to know each other, expectations and communication barriers are broken down, greasing the wheels for easier future interactions.
Create quiet time
Having a space where employees can take a break when they are stressed is a good way to alleviate stress when it arrives. A small room, a lounge space at the end of the hall, or even an outdoor bench can be a perfect place to find refuge from the chaos of the daily grind. Consider implementing ‘no Meeting Mondays’ or something similar to allow employees focus in on individual task and keep from getting bogged down with meetings or overwhelmed by a heavy workload.
Recognize employees
Recognize employees for a job well done, recognize their success. Employees will appreciate that you are aware of their success and want to share it with others. This makes them happier and more comfortable, which in turn lowers stress levels.
Provide counselling services
Providing counselling services is a way for employees to help deal with stress. This strategy — in or out of the office, in group setting or individually — can help employees prepare for what stress will come their way.
If you are dealing with chronic stress and cannot influence or change the situation, you will need to change your approach. Be willing to be flexible. Remember, you have the ability to choose your response to stressors, and you may have to try various options.
At PAT Consulting, we understand the importance of dealing with stress. Our professionals can help you manage stressors in your life and your job effectively. We provide counselling services and robust solutions for individuals, organizations and institutions. We are here to help. Contact us at info@patnigeria.com or 0907 870 6967.
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