It's Stress Awareness Week, so I thought I'd share a few nuggets with you from the webinar I delivered this week on Managing Stress & Anxiety in a High Performance World.
There are 3 pillars of Stress Management according to Yoga Medicine:
1) Awareness
2) Regulation
3) Adaptation
Awareness
Do you know how many stressors you deal with day to day? Why don't you try tracking them for a few days - it might be really surprising! From short-term mild stressors such as traffic, or lateness, to a more significant level of stress such a big change in your life (separation, job insecurity, moving house, injury). Thirdly, any long-term circumstances that make life more difficult (financial duress, ongoing conflict, a lack of safety). Take a moment now to reflect on your day so far...
Regulation
Take a pause for a few mins for interoception: check in with your breathing, and any areas of tension in your body (eg tight shoulders, mouth breathing). Allow the exhale to become longer than your inhale, and this will signal to your brain to switch to the parasympathetic state, and reduce the stress response.
Adaptation
Build in challenge to your physical system - step away from the desk and stand on one leg for 3 mins, run up and down stairs for 5 mins, or do a 2 min plank. If you need to be more subtle, you can try interrupted breathing - inhale, pause, inhale, pause, inhale, long exhale.
What have you found helpful to keep your stress level in a healthy balance?
Please share.
I'm passionate about helping people alleviate mental health issues and live life with more ease. Do get in touch if you need some help or tips, I'm here for you. Book a call and I'll take care of the rest.
Nicky delivers workplace webinars on Stress & Anxiety in High Performance World, Radical Recovery from Fatigue and Burnout, and The Science & Practice of Perfecting Your Sleep. She draws on a wealth of knowledge and experience to support people through challenge with her 12 week Health & Healing Programmes.
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