Written by Guest Blogger - Julie Morris
Our working world has changed a lot in the last couple of decades. Once upon a time, when you left work, you actually left work. However, in our modern world, with cell phones attached to nearly everyone’s hip, you never really leave your job. Always being on call and within reach can cause a buildup of chronic stress, especially among professionals and business owners who are more likely to work in the evening and on the weekends.
We all know that stress is not very healthy for our minds or bodies, but we very rarely adopt real, proven strategies to help us cope with this stress. This can cause increased health problems, mood decline, and can even make us less productive at work. However, correctly managing your stress isn’t just a matter of taking care of your physical and mental health. If you allow your stress level to rise to an unhealthy degree, you risk becoming unfocused and inefficient at work, which can stand between you and your goals.
Before you accept your fate, there are lots of simple, effective ways to deal with your stress. Here are some places for you to get started.
Meditate
You have probably heard about the positive health effects of meditation. HuffPost explains that meditation can directly reduce your stress by decreasing the activity of the amygdala, the part of your brain that controls negative emotions. In other words, meditation can help alter your stress response by directly shaping the structure of your brain.
One of the biggest reasons people don’t meditate is because they don’t think they have the time. However, if you have time to breathe, you have time to meditate. Yoga Journal even has some guided meditations that are under five minutes. These meditations are a quick and easy way for those who have never meditated before to overcome stress and become more relaxed.
Find an Outlet
After a stressful day at work, it is essential to have something to do to help you unwind. Without a healthy outlet, such as gardening, playing an instrument, or arts and crafts, you will be more prone to relying on unhealthy methods, such as drugs or alcohol. Anything you enjoy can be a great outlet to help manage your work-related stress. Hobbies are a popular choice, but things like family time, exercise, and socialization are excellent choices as well.
We recommend making this time a “no electronics” zone. Turn your phone off and let everyone know you will not be reachable during this time. This is important to ensure that you actually are relaxing during this time and not just continually checking your phone.
You might want to begin this downtime with a quick meditation to shrug off the stress you’ve accumulated from the workday. By taking a minute to relax and center yourself, you’ll be better able to relax and enjoy your hobby, family, or other activity.
Take Care of Yourself
Perhaps most importantly, you should remember to take care of yourself. Stress can take a significant toll on the body, so it is essential to counteract these adverse effects by making sure you truly are giving your body what it needs. Get enough sleep at night, eat healthy meals, and get the exercise you need each day. This might seem like a lot, but with just a few fundamental lifestyle changes, you can be well on your way to being healthier and happier.
Our physical bodies and mental states are vitally connected. You will probably discover that as you take better care of yourself, your mood and overall outlook improves as well. This can help you deal with acute stress and prevent chronic stress from building up.
Stress might be a regular part of our world, but that does not mean that you have to lie down and take it. There are many ways to overcome and prevent chronic stress. Even if you don’t have much time, taking a moment during the day to do a quick breathing meditation can eliminate stress and make you feel better.
Guest Blog Author - Julie Morris - Life and Career Coach
Julie spent years in an unfulfilling career and now coaches others on how to find their dream careers. She created juliemorris.org - Connect with Julie: julie_morris@juliemorris.org
For additional resources, feel free to check out Relax Like A Boss's article on Meditation Manifestation: https://relaxlikeaboss.com/meditation-manifestation/