Dealing With Stress

I don’t know if you’re like me, but I’m the kind of person that tends to be a bit in the clouds.  I forget things easily, and it has caused me some stress, especially when I was working in marketing for a very fast paced company.  This is when I came across a wonderful program called Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen.  While it’s basically a productivity tool, it also has the great power to reduce stress and boost creative thinking.  How?  By implementing a system where everything is contained, there’s no more place for things staying in our unconscious mind, draining our energy and blocking our creativity.  You know, all those “I have to do” and “I have to remember” like to file your tax papers, get the leaking faucet fixed, return calls, pick-up the kids, etc…  All those things we think we should do but aren’t doing right away stays on our mind until we actually do them. This blocks a big part of our energy.  Of course, to do lists can help, but unless you have a system that you can rely on, and that includes every open loops, in our work and personal environment, something inside you will still think that you should be doing every “to do” right now…which, obviously, we can’t.

This brings me to power and control.  One of the greatest sources of stress comes from when we feel powerless, or about to lose control.  Besides a good, complete productivity tool, learning to retrieve the power over our life can make a dramatic change in our stress level and overall sense of happiness.

Slow down: When things go too fast, it’s easy to feel that we are losing control.  Taking our time, like arriving in advance to a meeting and not overcrowding our schedule, can help us reduce stress.

Don’t forget to breathe: While breathing is usually automatic, taking a few deep breaths can dramatically reduce the sense of inner panic in stressful situations

Calm down: Yes, I know, it’s much easier to say then to do. However, here’s a little trick that you can do almost anywhere and anytime. Sit down, close your eyes and cover your face with your both hands. Count slowly to 30. When you’ll remove your hands, feel the instant relaxation.

Stop playing the victim: We have power over our life. We tend to forget it though.  So whenever you feel stressed because you feel powerless, take the conscious decision to don’t surrender to that feeling.  Learn to affirm yourself, take position and stop whining. Finding excuses or looking for a culprit won’t change the situation. Instead, open your mind and think outside the box.  There’re no problems, only solutions!

Take care of yourself: To prevent long-term stress, there’s nothing better than spending time doing what charge back your batteries.  Think about what gives you energy (no coffee or adrenalin please!).  What makes you feel good?  It can be sports, meditation, reading a good book, cooking, spending time with friends, anything.  Time to do what makes you happy should be on top of your absolute yes list.  Make sure to schedule some time every week for those activities.  This is one of the best arms against long-term stress.

Give your body some superfuel: Swapping sugar and coffee for healthier food can not only help you avoid diseases, it also do wonders in stress management.  Sugary foods are quickly digested and make a sugar peak in your blood.  It of course gives you a quick energy boost, but in the long run, it can let you downer than before. See some foods to help your mood.

And you, how do you deal with stress?