Destress in 3.. 2.. 1..
Does this topic even need an introduction? Year-end brings enough crazy on even in a normal year, let alone now. If you could use some help in lowering your stress levels during this period, this one is for you. Today I'll walk you through some of my favorite tips and actions that do the trick, and I hope you will find them equally helpful and powerful as I do. Enjoy!
Change your focus. And in this case, I mean it literally. The majority of people – especially working in a corporate environment – spend hours and hours sitting by a desk, staring into their laptops and screens, only to take a break and look at their phone instead. I don't want to be pointing any fingers, but I know I am guilty of it. I have recently learned that the act of constantly looking at something near us triggers the biological response of fight or flight – which generally is a response to a threat or an otherwise stressful situation. This stems from our evolutionary past and most of the danger we encountered as a life-threatening event of a predator's close encounter. Simply looking at something from a short distance triggers a physiological reaction that tells us we are at risk. The solution (or at least the aid to it) is as simple as the historical wiring. Find the time, or rather – make the time, to look into the distance. Research has shown that this act on its own can literally help decrease your heart rate and calm you down. It is up to you whether that means taking a micro-break to look out of the window of every hour throughout your working day or fitting in a quick walk after lunch before rushing back to your desk. Both will be equally beneficial.
Change your perspective. I had a fantastic high school math teacher, who – when we could not solve the equation while standing at the black board – would ask us to take a look from the second row. As funny as it might sound, it worked. Creating physical distance from the (even if only) mathematical problem helped us see the bigger picture, see it from a new perspective, and find the solution. It might require as little as walking to another room, or just standing up and changing your viewpoint literally, to change it metaphorically as well. Try to be fully present in the moment, however briefly, to amplify this further.
Change the scenery. If you find yourself in a stressful situation, try to remove yourself from it, even if only temporarily. It might now always be easy, I know. Not everybody has the liberty and luxury to just stand up and leave. But keep in mind that investing 3 minutes into re-composing yourself might save you hours of additional work and stress that might follow if you don't. Even at work, even during a meeting, you likely can excuse yourself for an urgent bathroom break, right? Consider destressing to be in the same league of needs as your biological ones, and go take a bio break when you need it. Experiencing your own power to change your situation will do miracles for the perceived levels of stress and strength you feel.
Disconnect. Go offline. This might sound like the lamest idea of them all, but I urge you to do it. And there is a good chance you will switch off your wifi, or put away your phone, and suddenly you will just sit there not knowing what to do. It's okay. Maybe, for starters, just sit there and breathe. Realize the time belongs to you, and only you. There are endless possibilities of how you can spend it. Heck, you can even waste it, if you like! Because, you know, the time you enjoy wasting is actually time well spent. Just start with realizing that you are your own boss indeed and that the time you spend online – whether it is to stay up to date, stay connected, or anything else – is optional. You are not required to take part in it. You are allowed the spend the same amount of energy, effort, and time any (and I mean it, any) way you want. How awesome is that? And how relieving?
You see the pattern, right? Change.
“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.”
I know change can be difficult sometimes, but maybe just give it a chance. Just think about it.. And I sincerely hope you bloom!
