It's tough. People are grumpy and with budget cuts
happening everywhere, well, it's just plain stressful. That got
me to thinking of tips I've heard and used to create a little
peace and relaxation in the middle of the day.
Always remember, if you're stressed and in a bad mood, you
project it through everything you do. Personally, my jaws clench,
and I become short with people. And that's no fun. I'm not
as effective as a leader, a mother or a friend. And while a little
stress is good for performance, a lot of stress throws you and your
nervous system out of whack, leading to nasty physical consequences
as well as leaving you vulnerable to anxiety and depression.
So, it's time for a break!
Here are my five favorite tips to de-stress.
1. Have a personal jam session. Get out the headphones and listen
your favorite up-beat song. Tina Turner always gets me moving and
inspired.
2. Get out of the office, or the house. Change the scenery! Take a
coffee break and go on a 15-minute walk to get some fresh air. You
will be more productive if you give your brain a rest.
3.
De-clutter your desk . You will feel better instantly—I
promise! The distracting call of “the piles” will be silenced,
enabling you to concentrate on your next feat.
4. Connect. Talk to your team. Ask others about their day. If
they're smiling, you're going to smile back. It's
contagious! If you work alone, or you're home alone, call a
best friend. She needs you as much as you need her right now.
5. Laugh. Yes,
laughter is my cure all. Here's a great stat from
my book : Preschool children laugh up to 400 times a
day, but adults only laugh 17 times a day on average. C'mon!
Take the edge off and have a little fun.
