Tension Management Tips

Stress has always been a part of our lives. It is but a common occurrence for people to hear someone complain of how stressful his life had been in the school, in the workplace, or even with his family. This situation happens everywhere regardless of race, nationality, status in life, or level of education attained. Stress is just there clinging to us wherever we go, and we can’t merely disregard this sad truth.

 

We must remember that in whatever we do, there are just some inevitable factors that cause pressure and anxiety to us. On the other hand, there are those that we can control. We must therefore be sensible enough to differentiate the two so that we do not end up wasting our time, effort, money and abilities on matters that we can’t change.

 

Here are some helpful tips on tension management.

 

1. Identify what makes you anxious and uneasy. Making a list of your stressful experiences is useful. Immediately deal with the issues that you can change like waking-up late for work in the morning or beating deadlines during the last minute. Forget about the ones that you can’t influence like being stuck in a traffic jam or not getting into the elevator because there is no space left.

 

2. Calm down.  A three-minute break would do you good. You can go to the bathroom and wash your face, sneak out to buy a candy bar, or inhale fresh air. You can also listen to relaxing music, punch a pillow, or call someone. Releasing your inner feelings to a good friend is a healthy option.

 

3. It will pass; it will be over before you know it. Constantly reminding yourself that the stressful event “will end sooner or later” can make you see the positive sides of things. At the same time, stabilize your emotions and think of what is the best thing to do rather than take your energy away from what needs to be done.

 

4. Know yourself. Ask yourself: What triggers your anxiety? If it is your job, then maybe it’s the right time for you to reconsider whether it would be best to find a less stressful job. You can also make your present job more bearable by allowing yourself to get that needed vacation or leave. Never tire yourself of thinking what can’t be changed immediately, like a new memorandum assigning you to a new work schedule that you don’t prefer. In due time, things will get better as you adjust to your work.

 

Life gives you have two choices. Change the situation or simply accept it. There’s no other way to cope with tension producing situations

 

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If you want to use this article in a company or association newsletter or for your own purposes, just contact me at rickallen@rickalleninfo.com. I’m always happy to let you use material as long as I get credit and a link to: estress.wordpress.com

 

Please pass this article on to someone. If you think the content is good, please share it with someone else. They’ll appreciate it and so will I!

 

Also, please feel free to share the following link with people to get a no cost Stress Management

Kit : www.StressManagementConsulting.com

 

International Copyright 2008, Rick Allen, CH,CI

Self Improvement Center

P.O. Box 245, Fostoria, OH 44830 USA

Ph: 800 521-3653 Fax: 501 637-5882

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Five Tension Tamers For at Work Stress

 

When you ask people where most of their daily stress comes from, majority will tell you that it either comes from their home or from work, with greater emphasis on the latter. Because work is a paid endeavor, and the time allotted for it is regular and measured, a lot of people say the routine is what bothers them – in addition to the gnarly boss, the file pile-ups, and the gossip-mongering co-workers.

 

If you feel you are suffering from occupational stress, then this is the article for you. Sure, stress from work is inevitable, because all of us do need to work to earn a living and support ourselves and our families. But just because it’s inevitable doesn’t mean we should just raise our arms in defeat and succumb to its every whim. Work stress can be managed. All you need to have to start with is a cool head.

 

Next time you feel like you’re on the edge at the office, here are a few tips you can try.

 

1. Take a break.

 

Leave the office, take a short walk or visit a quiet nook in your office building or a nearby café. Claiming some “me” time helps clear and refresh your mind; so will a change of atmosphere.

 

2. Talk it over.

 

Before you snap back at a co-worker, bite your tongue. Pull a close friend at the office, ask if he or she has the time, and ask for help in processing your anger or anxious feelings. Expressing yourself to a confidant for at least 20 minutes helps you simmer down and prevents you from acting or saying things that you might regret later.

 

3. Stretch.

 

Exercise can do wonders to one’s spirits. It doesn’t have to be rigorous. A few minutes of stretching and breathing does the trick.

 

4. Eat, drink.

 

Yes, stress eating is the number one cause of weight gain, but there are nutritious foods to calm you and to help you sustain your energy for the rest of the day. Instead of reaching out for a sugar-laden doughnut, get a bran muffin; instead of coffee, have a relaxing tea drink.

 

5. Laugh!

 

Humor is an effective way to relieve stress. Laughter relaxes tense muscles, brings in more oxygen into our system, and lowers blood pressure. Next time you want to blow your top, call a friend with a good sense of humor. Developing good jokes – no offensive ones – does wonders for yourself and your officemates, too. Seeing humor in everyday things lightens up an otherwise trying and tiring day at work.

 

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If you want to use this article in a company or association newsletter or for your own purposes, just contact me at RickAllen@RickAllenInfo.com . I’m always happy to let you use material as long as I get credit and a link to: estress.wordpress.com

 

Please pass this article on to someone. If you think the content is good, please share it with someone else. They’ll appreciate it and so will I!

 

Also, please feel free to share the following link with people to get a no cost Stress Management

Kit : www.StressManagementConsulting.com

 

International Copyright 2008, Rick Allen, CH,CI

Self Improvement Center

P.O. Box 245, Fostoria, OH 44830 USA

Ph: 800 521-3653 Fax: 501 637-5882

Making The Sale When Your Stressed Out?

We all have those days – when deadlines are approaching and nothing is going right, when we’ve made dozens of nonproductive calls, and when it seems like the odds just aren’t in our favor. All we manage to build by the end of this kind of day is stress.

 

 

Stress affects people in different ways. Some of us experience headaches or physical pain. Others lose concentration and focus. When that happens, if you want to accomplish anything at all, you’ve got to do something to relieve the stress. Here are some suggestions.

 

- Laugh

 

That’s not as silly as it sounds. Medical research has shown that laughter decreases blood pressure and heart rate, increases oxygen in the blood, creates an enzyme that protects your stomach from stress, and strengthens the immune system. According to a study, the average American child laughs out loud about 400 times per day. The average American adult laughs out loud only about 15 times a day!

 

When you need a break, call a friend you will make you laugh. You can call anyone you know who has an upbeat, positive attitude. Afterward, you will find that you feel much more relaxed, energized, and able to regain your focus and go on with your day.

 

- Take a 20-minute power nap.

 

Keep an alarm clock with you at work so that, if necessary, you can nap in your office. Studies have shown that 20 minutes is the optimal time for napping – it gives us much-needed rest without making us overtired. More than 30 minutes of sleep will make you groggy.

 

- Change your activity.

 

Sometimes, repeating the same activity all day – like making sales calls – can cause stress, especially if you’re not achieving spectacular results.

 

If you’ve been inside all day, go outside for a while. Take an exercise break. Practice a musical instrument. Start a new project. Find something you can do for 30 minutes or an hour that will allow your mind to go in a completely different direction from what you’ve been doing all day. You’ll come back to your work refreshed and renewed, and with a significantly lower stress level.

 

- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

 

Not all sales will go well, so make sure you have alternatives. One of the most stressful selling situations is when there are other parties or outside influences over which you have no control. Sometimes you have to depend on people who may not be pulling their weight, or who may be going through their own stressful times. If something’s not working, at least you can move on to another situation in which you can get a greater ROI.

 

While stress can sabotage a sale, it can also be a great motivator. Concern that things are not going well can push you into high gear and get you thinking in new directions. It can save you from becoming complacent. But don’t wait for stress to push you into making that extra effort.

 

Most stress is caused by thinking about the things you haven’t done. If you’ve done all you can upfront, you will avoid most situations that cause you stress. And that’s the goal – to avoid stress as much as possible so you don’t have to constantly find ways to relieve it.

 

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If you want to use this article in a company or association newsletter or for your own purposes, just contact me at rickallen@RickAllenInfo.com. I’m always happy to let you use material as long as I get credit and a link to: estress.wordpress.com  

Please pass this article on to someone. If you think the content is good, please share it with someone else. They’ll appreciate it and so will I!

 

Also, please feel free to share the following link with people to get a no cost Stress Management Kit : www.StressManagementConsulting.com

 

International Copyright 2008, Rick Allen, CH,CI

Self Improvement Center

P.O. Box 245, Fostoria, OH 44830 USA

Ph: 800 521-3653 Fax: 501 637-5882