Stress Busters

• Susan Heathfield & Tina Indalecio
• May 25, 2015
• Newsletter Article

Stress Busters

Thanks to Susan Heathfield and Tina Indalecio for these great articles
 

Some quick tips to help relieve stress


Stress is normal. Everyone feels stress related to work, family, decisions, your future, and more. Stress is both physical and mental. It is caused by major life events such as illness, the death of a loved one, a change in responsibilities or expectations at work, and job promotions, loss, or changes.

Smaller, daily events also cause stress. This stress is not as apparent to us, but the constant and cumulative impact of the small stressors adds up to big impact.

In response to these daily stresses, your body automatically increases blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, metabolism, and blood flow to your muscles. This stress response is intended to help your body react quickly and effectively to any high-pressure situation.

However, when you are constantly reacting to small or large stressful situations, without making physical, mental, and emotional adjustments to counter their effect, you can experience stress that can hurt your health and well-being. It is essential that you understand both your external and internal stress-causing events, no matter how you perceive those events.

Stress can also be positive. You need a certain amount of stress to perform your best at work. The key to stress management is to determine the right amount of stress that will give you energy, ambition, and enthusiasm versus the wrong amount which can harm your health and well-being

Tackle the task at hand with ease by utilizing these quick stress reliever tips.

Break it Up

Peel your eyes off that computer screen for five to ten minutes every hour. Look at a point across the room of if possible out a window and rest a bit. You can also stand up and stretch a little. Take frequent short breaks rather than infrequent longer breaks. You will feel more energized and refreshed throughout the day.

Breathe it Out

When you are taking a break or if you have just read an email that makes your blood boil, stop, sit quietly and take 10 deep breaths, exhaling and inhaling slowly on each breath. You will be amazed how much this can help calm those nerves and get you thinking clearly again.

Walk or Run it Off

Try splitting your lunch break in half and work in a short run or walk. This is especially helpful if you have had a stressful morning or anxiety building up for an afternoon presentation. Try it and you will feel better, more relaxed and ready to take on the second half of your day.

Right Food = Right Mind

Junk food will make you feel sluggish, add on the pounds and make it difficult to concentrate. Try bringing your lunch and packing healthy snacks you can eat throughout the day. You will quickly feel the difference at work, in your waistline and in your wallet.