With humble apologies to Salt N Pepa…

“Let’s talk about stress, baby
Let’s talk about you and me
Let’s talk about all the good things
And the bad things that may be

Let’s talk about stress
Let’s talk about stress…

Let’s talk about stress for now to the people at home or in the crowd
It keeps coming up anyhow
Don’t decoy, avoid or make void the topic
‘Cuz that ain’t gonna stop it”

Reading the Research by The Australian Institute think tank initial findings of the report Hard To Get a Break?  in the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday I discovered further proof that most people are dissatisfied with their jobs, that workplace stress is on the rise and this is costing good quality sleep and affecting personal relationships. Who woulda thunk it?!

Workplace stress, difficulty in workplace/ personal relationships and dislike of the actual job are key reasons why clients visit for Personal Consultations, and why Living Life Passionately was created. They are core solutions to an important lifestyle choice that affects your mental and emotional health, and then often impacts your physical health.

There is no surprise that this is a core part of the work I do as a Kinesiologist/ Neuro-trainer, after  10 years in the corporate world specialising in training; finding the right role with the right company for the best person and 2 years as a time management consultant.

The key is to focus on seeking out solutions that best create results for YOU. Most people are locked into a stress cycle in which only the depth of stress varies. I grew up in a family of teachers…they had this belief that the more stressed they were the ‘better’ the teacher they were.

I found a similar mentality in Corporate in the 80’s and 90’s…the longer the hours, the more you sacrificed and carried the ‘better’ candidate for promotion you were. Until they discovered the “ work smarter not harder” mentality and then eventually the 4 Day week programme, which takes 7 days to manage.

So go back to what you know:

1. Swish water each time you pick up your water bottle, to alert the brain that water is coming to activate it, clean up foggy thinking and help you find clarity.

2. Head Hold and Breathe to get you calm, present and focussed. Listen to Your True Self vs The Stressed Out Self:

– Place your full palm across your forehead

– Place your other hand across the “bumpy bit” in the centre of the back of your head (just above where your head joins your neck.)

– Through your nose if you can…Belly Breathe in for 4, hold for 2, Out for 4, Hold for 2.

– Repeat this cycle 9 times.

In my Corporate days I went to the bathroom to do this so as not to look ‘weird’ at my desk. Then I became Manager and taught my staff to HeadHold and Breathe and sick leave dropped and productivity, results, staff motivation and retention improved. The same occured when I taught the Help Desk of the ATO to headhold and breathe 10 years ago, and other companies since.

Now I never make an important decision without HeadHolding and Breathing first. Why make a decision made from stress, fear and worry when I can make a decision from a calm, productive and centred space?

3. If you feel angry or frustrated or wanting to cry in the workplace, go for a walk in Nature. Nature heals and balances quickly and gets those endorphins moving to help you find balance and solutions. And when in doubt…water swish and headhold and breathe to create balance and calm more quickly.

4. As a daily or weekly practice…Meditate! Or Destress/ Calm Classes we call them in Corporate. There are 3 meditations on my website for FREE here to get you started, and I am in the process of recording 3 new meditations in time for Christmas, or come along to Meditation classes on Wednesday nights. See here for details

And when all else fails? Call me to book a Personal Consultation or ask about Living Life Passionately and whether it’s right for you.

Be kind and true to You,

Deb

SMH: Stress