BUSINESS
Managing stress
Simple steps to gain control by Erin Saunders, Leica Geosystems
When we aren’t able to resolve the cause of the stress, or if the problem continues unresolved for too long, it can become prohibitive to getting things done, and can even negatively impact our health and wellbeing. This is chronic stress.
Combatting chronic stress
So what should you do to prevent it from becoming chronic stress? First, when you notice stress, it’s important to understand what it is and where it’s coming from. of gratitude. 4Attitude In general, we stress about things we care about
Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash
Our world is constantly changing, which can cause challenges and stress. But stress doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. Stress is information and energy that can be used to fuel some sort of change in our work or personal lives. By understanding what stress is and how it impacts us, we can harness some of the energy caused by stress for good.
or that are important to us such as our work, our families, or our co-workers. This is a good reminder to appreciate the stress of the moment. It’s our bodies trying to tell us there’s something that is meaningful to us that is stressing us out. Being grateful and appreciative shifts our brain chemistry to be able to think more clearly, logically, and even creatively so we can problem solve more effectively. Then think about adjustments that can be made to either reduce demand or increase your capacity to handle stress.
Just breathe. 4 One of the easiest ways to help calm our nervous What is stress? Stress occurs when there is a gap between demand and capacity. When we don’t have enough time, stress can help us get hyper-focused to get more done with fewer resources.
Stress is not good or bad—it’s simply a triggering of hormones in response to a perceived threat in our environment. It’s easier to try not to categorize stress but to remember that stress is what happens when there is a gap between what we are trying to get done and the resources available to do them. When we feel stress, it’s information that our brain is signaling to tell us that something needs to be adjusted. If we can make those adjustments, it’s not a big deal. This type of stress is tolerable and can actually be helpful in spurring us into action.
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system and take a step back from feelings of stress is by breathing. It’s amazing how quickly our breath can shift us towards a more calm state. When we breathe slowly and fully, we calm our heartrate and signal to our brains that we are safe. The next time you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, start by breathing in for a count of five and out for a count of five. You can do this anywhere. As you breathe, try to bring awareness to your breath. Notice how it feels. The more you practice this, the easier it will be to slow your breathing in times of stress.
on the positive. 4FocusAnother way to combat stress is to shift your
attention to something positive. Research suggests that when we feel a positive emotion like joy, love or gratitude, we dramatically change the chemistry
