SELF-CARE
3 Tips to Recharge When Your Tank Is Running on Empty Donald Altman, MA, LPC The stress of the holidays is past, and just when you think you can breathe a sigh of relief, along comes the start of tax and audit season. Let’s not forget that the uncertainty around the pandemic and worries about the recovery of the economy are still with us. Well, here’s the dirty truth that no-one told you: Change and transition drive anxiety, stress and burnout. Plus, you’re probably coping with more stress than ever before. If you’re feeling like you don’t have the energy reserves, that you are on edge, upset, anxious, angry, sad, depressed, or feeling disengaged from work and others, you are not alone. These are normal reactions to feelings of overwork and uncertainty. What can you do to reverse this harmful trend, both personally and in your workplace? Fortunately, there are some proven ways to help you recover and recharge from stress.
3-Steps to Recharging and Reinvigorating
Step 1: Change Your Perception of Stress As many stress researchers have learned, it’s not stress that kills you, but your perception of stress. In other words, it’s how you think about stress that makes all the difference! When faced with a stressful situation or problem, think about the following: • How is your stress temporary, as opposed to permanent? Remember that even COVID-19 is a temporary problem that will improve as vaccines are implemented. • Can you problem-solve a way to reduce and/or manage the stress? For example, take a different route home to avoid freeway traffic. • Can you find a way to prevent or avoid potential stress? Reduce the number of transitions in your day, such as by making one trip to do three errands at once, instead of making three separate trips. • Can you notice negative self-talk? After you’ve found the “can’t,” replace it with a statement consisting of positive self-talk that motivates you to move forward.
"Change and transition drive anxiety, stress, and burnout." 16
The Washington CPA Winter 2021
www.wscpa.org
