We all have stress. I picture an empty room where challenges keep coming at me from straight in front of me, the top left corner, the middle right corner, or wherever. You get the idea. The point is that challenges keep coming at us from all angles as if we are in a video game trying to move forward. Some challenges are exciting and invigorating while others are hard and stressful. They never stop, nor does the need to manage the daily and regular stress of these challenges.
Many times, this is easier said than done. When I speak with people about their business, I usually hear how well things are going and how great everything is. Many times, what I am hearing is true. Other times, further into the conversation, I learn the truth, which is, whether things are going well or not, the person is under incredible stress.
In my world it could be the closing date for a large transaction with many moving parts and participants where things aren’t pinned down until the last possible moment. Or maybe it’s preparing to go to trial for two weeks, knowing all the other work for other clients really doesn’t stop during that time. I heard one person years ago refer to it as juggling cats. It certainly feels that way in the moment.
Learning methods to cope with the large amount of stress that weighs you down is a gift to yourself, as well as an ongoing process throughout life. It is impossible to be stress free all the time, but living in a constant state of stress is unhealthy. By finding coping mechanisms you can manage stress better than just trying to ignore the fact it’s there. Everyone around you knows when you’re stressed, even if you think you’re acting cool, calm, and collected. From body language to voice, there are many tells when someone is in a high stress moment.
So, what do you do to try and control your stress? If something doesn’t come to mind immediately, you need to find something. For me, it’s meditation and exercise including hiking. For others I know, it is cooking, playing music, golfing, etc. It’s up to you to find what activities help you manage your stress on a regular basis. Whatever it is, it should be one or more things you incorporate in your regular routines. By doing so, whether your stress level is high, low, or somewhere in-between, you will be able to better manage it.
All of this will lead you to help yourself find a healthier lifestyle, in both your mental and physical health, because stress negatively affects you mentally and physically. Think about your interests outside of work. It should be an activity you enjoy, which should go without saying, and that helps you relax. Then take small steps such as doing it regularly for a month and then another and so on. Then look back with an honest eye as to how you have been dealing with stress and how you feel. My bet is that you will be in a better place.
