Top 5 'Ease the Stress' Techniques

 

1.       Use what I call a Chain of Support or Comfort Plan . Basically, it can be as simple as a keychain or a small note card that reminds you of what personally relieves you of stress. For some, this could be deep breathing, praying, rubbing their hands with scented lotion, or calling a beloved one. Whatever works for you: write at least four things that ‘ease the stress’ on the back of a keychain or note card and have this located on you at all times, so whenever you feel things are becoming too stressful, just resort to your Chain of Support or Comfort Plan and you can ‘ease the stress’ successfully.

2.       Post pictures of ‘your favorite things’ in your office cubicle or wall. Some of my favorite things or people are my parents, my dog, and the Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York. Whenever I look at photos of my favorite people and things, my mind is relaxed: I allow myself time to get away from the work for just a moment and take a breath. This usually gets me right back on track to completing the task stress-free.

3.       Cut out funny comic strips and hang them up, or if you don’t want anyone else to see them, then keep them in a folder in your desk somewhere no one can find them. Take a moment to read them over and ‘ease the stress.’ Don’t just cut out Dilbert comic strips: this is your time to get away from thinking about the office.

4.       Inspiring quotes can be a great source of encouragement. One of my favorite sources of inspiration is from Mother Theresa entitled ‘Do It Anyway.’ This poem is written on the wall of her home for children in Calcutta. The first and last lines read, respectively: “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway... In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

5.       Color code everything from folders to notebooks to sticky notes– I find when everything is designated a different color, then somehow everything seems to be in its proper place with its proper label, and it never takes me too long to find something. Being able to say you never lose anything is a great ‘ease the stress’ technique.