Stress Stress Go Away

I know I shouldn’t say this but I did it again. No matter how I started my New Year right, I am now experiencing stress. It’s now time to sing that nursery rhyme changing rain to stress:

Stress, stress, go away
Never come any day
Little me wants to play

A productive routine includes play (leisure), wellness, fun, and stress reduction.

Let me remind myself and you that we need to take time out to recharge. Working long and hard will not increase your productivity but could lead to inefficiencies. Never confuse your job with your life.

Here are my favorite stress reducers:

1. Physically and mentally close your office door. I know you are very passionate about your job. But the only way to get more things done and be more creative in your job is to ensure that you do not burn-out. So, when you leave your office close the door physically and mentally. Stop thinking of your job the moment you close your office door. All issues and problems can wait for tomorrow.
   
   
2. Leave your office on time. If you commute to work, may sure that you come to work on time and leave your office on time. Do not render overtime work especially when you feel the stress bug attacking. You will accomplish more if you are less stressed.

This will be a little difficult when you work online. Nevertheless, shut down your computer and keep it shut down at a designated time. Never make an alibi that you will just check on your personal network because as soon as you go online you will be tempted to work. Keep your computer shut down and do not go online.

3. Laugh at life’s absurdities. Issues happen daily; problems are a fact of life. Don’t take them too seriously. Laugh at the problems that life throws at you. Reduce your stress level but laughing. Reduced stress will make you appreciate life and will enable you to care for others.
   
   
4. Have fun. Give yourself permission to have fun. Go on a vacation. Take on a hobby or just enjoy any leisure activity. We hear of people lamenting that they took the time off but they still feel stressed. Yes, they may have taken a vacation but their minds were on their work all the time. The key here is to shut down any thought or activity that leads you to your stress area.
   
   
5. Think of fond memories. This one works wonders and it works fast. When you think of the nice memories, you immediately feel relaxed. Antics of my children never cease to put a smile on my face. My heart slows down as I enjoy the memories of their childhood - how they make me laugh, how they surprise me with gifts that to them are so small and not costly but to me are my treasures.
   
   
6. Your job comes only on the third of your list of priorities. First is God, then family. Never neglect your family. Your job ends after a time; your family ends only when you depart this life.
   
   
7. Force yourself to relax. After all has been said and done and you forget to do points 1 to 6, you need to force yourself to slow down. Learn to say “no” to your work and extracurricular activities. Include in your time management the time to relax.

And if you are one of the people I know who feels guilty when there is a downtime in their schedule, don’t. Remember that the downtime is needed to help you bounce back with power!