Stress Management Techniques

Seven Stress Management Techniques for the Workplace

August 24, 2011 By Barry

In every career, you’ll experience moments of stress in the workplace. In order to help reduce this, I recommend trying one or more of the following stress management techniques:

#1: Conduct “standing meetings”. When someone enters your office, stand up to talk to them. This will let them know that you have very limited time. Also, consider conducting a “walking meeting” so that issues can be discussed on the move.

#2: Learn the difference between the “urgent” and the “important” and make time for the latter. Are there any areas of your life that keep getting pushed aside? You won’t just “find” a few spare hours – you have to deliberately plan ahead to set this time aside.

#3: Let your actions spring from your personal goals and values. By living by your values, you’ll lead an authentic life where who you are is strongly connected to what you do. Values are part of the very fabric of our being and are fundamental to what makes us human.

#4: Eat your “elephant” one bite at a time. Break up your big projects into little projects. Turn your little projects into a list of individual tasks. Trying to put your whole “elephant” on one plate will only lead to overwhelm.

#5: Reward yourself for reaching particular goals. This helps to reinforce the behaviors you are developing. Ensure that your rewards don’t undo your hard work (for instance, avoid rewarding yourself for losing 2lbs by eating a large slice of pizza!)

#6: Take regular exercise. That means at least an hour of some moderate activity each day: try exercising first thing in the morning to make sure that you fit it in. You can split this into 20-30 minute segments if you prefer.

#7: Get outside during the day. Fresh air and sunlight are essential to your health and well-being. If you’re cooped up inside all day, especially in winter, the low sunlight levels will depress your metabolism, your energy level and your mood.

High levels of stress can be a symptom of poor time-management skills. To take back control of your time, get a free copy of my ebook Time Management Strategies and Tactics: A Workbook by putting your name and email address in the sidebar (top right).

Stress Management: The Good and The Bad

October 20, 2010 By Barry

A few weeks ago many of us in Michigan were shocked to learn that the Michigan State University head football coach Mark Dantonio suffered a heart attack following a big win versus Notre Dame. Many experts would agree that he was experiencing a form of chronic Distress, and that there was a very high correlation between Distress and this unfortunate event.

To say that we are living in a stressful time to many is an understatement, yet not all stress is bad for us. In the next series of blog posts I will be sharing some perspectives and strategies to use Eustress (a positive life forwarding kind of stress) with Distress (a negative life diminishing form of stress).

Throughout our Stress Management blog series we will also be providing ideas and suggestions for your consideration as you navigate your world.

See if any of the following characteristics and symptoms applies to you and your life:

Eustress

Eustress is one of the helpful types of stress and is the type of stress you experience right before you have the need to exert physical force. Eustress prepares the muscles, heart, and mind for the strength needed for whatever is about to occur. A few examples of Eustress are:

Receiving a promotion at work
Starting a new job
Marriage
Retiring
Having a child
Moving
Purchasing a home

Distress

Distress is one of the negative types of stress that the mind and body undergoes when the normal routine is constantly adjusted and altered. The mind is not comfortable with this routine, and craves the familiarity of a common routine. A few examples of Distress are:

The death of a spouse
Filing for divorce
Losing contact with loved ones
Hospitalization
Injury or illness
Money Problems
Unemployment
Legal Problems

Coping Strategies

Walk it off – physical exercise is a great way to reduce Distress.
Talk it out – having a support network to listen to and sound out the stressful events in your life is a great way to reduce Distress.
Let it go – is sometimes easier said than done, but helps to relieve yourself of Distress.

I welcome you to contact me more information about how stress relates to your professional lifeat 248-740-3231 or visit my website at www.dempcoaching.com.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Additional Secrets of Successful Time Managers

October 20, 2010 By Barry

As a continuation of our Time Management Strategies blog series, we would like to offer you additional secrets of successful time managers. In this segment, we begin to uncover the habits adopted and utilized by people who are able to manage their time successfully. Here are a few of the secrets:

Handle papers that cross your desk only once. Reviewing your mail next to a trash can before you enter your home is an example of enabling this behavior.
In your projects, involve people that have ideas and perspectives different from your own. This will help to develop a very collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
Write down your plans, goals, and ideas. Without clear direction, reaching your destination is difficult.
People who keep a journal are one-third more likely to feel a sense of progress in their lives than those who do not.
Apply what you learn immediately to create positive habits and create long-lasting impact.

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled Michigan Business and Personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team-building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance. For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.

Stress Management Techniques For The Workplace

October 14, 2010 By Barry

Sometimes very stressful events occur in the workplace that affect those who are exposed to these situations. In order to help reduce these “workplace stressors”, the team at Barry Demp Coaching recommends that you try one of the following stress management techniques:

Conduct “standing meetings.” When someone enters your office, consider conducting your meeting in a standing position. This will let the person know that you have very limited time. Also, consider conducting a “walking meeting,” in which issues are discussed while walking.
Learn the difference between the “urgent” and the “important” and make time for the latter. What are two or three important areas of your life that you never seem to have time for?
Let your actions spring from your personal goals and values.
Eat your “elephant” one bite at a time. Break up your big projects into little projects.
Rewarding yourself for reaching a particular goal will help reinforce the behaviors you are developing.