In the UK, November 7th is Stress Awareness Day.  So here are some useful tips to help you and your staff avoid rising stress levels.

1. Acceptance

There’s a possibility that life might not always be plain sailing.  There are times when we need to push out of our comfort zone to grow and develop.  This can lead to feelings of anxiety or stress but will also usually result in some positive change or improvement in your life.  Embrace it, don’t fight it.

2. Understanding
The stress response is a natural one designed to protect us.  Feeling stressed is a sign that we feel out of control and that we need to act.  Once you are in the habit of responding appropriately to feeling stressed, you will feel calmer, sooner.

3. Honesty
Stress has mental and physical implications.  You must be honest about your responses to stress and whether or not they will really help you feel better.  Faced with a super busy day ahead, loading up with caffeine and a sugary breakfast will only leave you feeling more stressed.

Alternative choices such as porridge or eggs with herbal tea or water will calm your system and help reduce stress levels.  Because stress arises when we feel things are beyond our control, find simple ways to take control wherever you can and return to a state of calm, clear thinking as quickly as possible.

4. True Stress Management
Managing stress does not necessarily mean eliminating stress.  The key to success is to know how far you are willing to move out of your comfort zone and how often you are willing to do this.  You can then manage how quickly you make progress through life without ever feeling overwhelmed.

5. Be a Team Player
Just as others may cause you stress, so you may cause stress for those around you.  Pause for a moment and think about what you do that could cause stress for others.  Then consider alternative approaches.  If everyone in any team or family asks themselves this question, overall levels of stress are greatly reduced.

If you’d like some help with setting up the most effective Wellness initiatives for your organisation, just give us a call on 020 8995 1302 – Jeff Archer – http://the-tonic.com/