You’re a late-career professional who’s been feeling the stress. What are some ways to manage it?

“Eustress” is a positive and healthy type of stress that can help us grow and improve our lives. Here are some simple tips for balancing stress and eustress: 1. Set realistic goals and prioritize: Break down large tasks into manageable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed and tackle them in priority order. 2. Take frequent refresh breaks: Throughout the day to recharge and refocus. 3. Practice mindfulness: Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions in the present moment, without judgment. 4. Engage in activities that bring you flow: Challenge yourself with activities that fully engage your attention and skills, such as creative pursuits. 5. Practice gratitude: Reflect on the things you are thankful for, no matter how small they may seem.

Understanding what triggers your stress is key to managing it effectively, particularly for leaders faced with constant pressure. A stress journal can help you track situations and reactions to pinpoint exactly what sets off your stress. This approach helps you identify specific stress patterns and their intensity, this will give you the ability to recognize the early signs and allow you to take steps to prevent it from escalating. For leaders, this isn't just about personal well-being, it's about staying effective in decision-making. Identifying stress sources early allows you to take control, ensuring that you remain resilient and effective in your leadership role.

This is something that is always important but especially later in life as your responsibility grows. Truly finding, owning, and making efforts to remedy stress at its source is unfortunately many are too stubborn, prideful, or worse they are put in situations where they’re unable to effectively gain relief from their stressors. This may involve having a Crucial Conversation at work, or further unpleasant conversations. It may be a conversation that needs to be had at home— if you have trust in your manager or colleagues confiding in them has immense value. Lastly, if it goes deeper than that, allow to speak from personal experience: there is no shame, defeat, loss, or dishonor in asking for, or seeking help.

Identify the unique resources we can possess later in our career. There are strengths that emerge as we mature. One well-documented example is our socioemotional regulation improving as we mature. We perceive time differently as we age. We then choose to pursue what’s positive about a relationship and dwell less on the negatives. Good relationships are a later-in-life strength that can help manage stress. 1) train the brain & strengthen this evolving emotional strength (seek good relations, journal, repeat). Train it like a muscle. 2) use meaningful relationships as a break from other stress and a source of positive energy One size fits all stress tips can help, but new strengths that emerge with age are the unique opportunity.

Start by keeping a stress journal. Record situations, thoughts, and feelings triggering stress, using a 1 to 10 scale to rate its intensity. Note physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms to identify patterns. This self-awareness will pinpoint areas for change, aiding in developing targeted strategies for stress reduction.

If you are overwhelmed with work, effective prioritization and delegation are crucial. Utilize a matrix to categorize tasks by urgency and importance, concentrating on those aligning with both criteria. Delegate or outsource non-essential tasks, communicating expectations clearly. This strategic approach helps manage time and energy efficiently, reducing stress associated with excessive demands.

Steps to prioritize and delegate tasks to reduce stress: 1. Make a list of tasks you need to accomplish. 2. Assess the importance and urgency of each task. 3. Identify tasks that only you can do and prioritize them. 4. Evaluate your strengths and resources, and determine which tasks can be delegated. 5. Communicate clearly with individuals involved and delegate tasks effectively. 6. Monitor progress and provide support as needed. 7. Let go of perfectionism and trust in others' capabilities. 8. Practice self-care and prioritize your well-being. 9. Regularly review and adjust your task list and priorities. By following these steps, you can effectively manage your workload, reduce stress, and ensure that important tasks are completed.

If you read Steven Corey's 7 habits of highly effective people , you will be able to know how to prioritize and put first things first! By doing so , stress levels should be way less ! This book explains that we deal daily with the urgent tasks instead of the important ones ! Start by planning the big rocks , manage time efficiently and leave last minute stuff to come in place naturally. This wpuld be great for late career stressing people to follow !

I've found that one effective way for late-career professionals to reduce stress is by prioritizing and delegating tasks. Overwhelming workloads are a major source of stress, so it's crucial to identify the tasks that are truly urgent and important and focus on those first. For less critical tasks, I delegate them to others on my team. This lightens my workload and empowers my team by giving them more responsibilities that I trust them to handle. Clear communication about expectations and desired outcomes is key when delegating. This approach eases my stress levels while also improving team efficiency and enhancing my effectiveness as a leader.

Assess your workload and responsibilities, and prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. Delegate tasks whenever possible to lighten your workload and reduce stress. Effective delegation involves trusting your colleagues and empowering them to take on certain responsibilities, freeing up your time to focus on higher-priority tasks.

For late-career professionals, leaning on your network is key to managing stress. Talk to colleagues, mentors, and peer groups for advice, fresh strategies, and mutual support. Seek feedback from clients and customers - it boosts your skills, confidence, and productivity. Successful leadership means sharing knowledge and experiences. Connecting with others provides vital insights, boosts wellbeing, and enhances the quality of your work.

Seeking support and feedback to reduce stress: 1. Identify trusted individuals who can provide support and feedback. 2. Clearly communicate your needs and the type of support you're seeking. 3. Practice active listening and be open to different perspectives. 4. Share your feelings and experiences related to the stress. 5. Seek insights and lessons from others who have faced similar stress. 6. Reflect on the feedback and advice received and consider implementing them. 7. Maintain regular check-ins with your support system for ongoing guidance. 8. Remember that seeking support is a sign of strength and can help alleviate stress. By seeking support and feedback, you can gain valuable insights, and share your burden.

Don't hesitate to reach out to colleagues, mentors, or trusted friends for support and guidance. Sharing your concerns with others can provide perspective and help you feel less isolated. Additionally, seek feedback on your performance to identify areas for improvement and gain validation for your efforts.

I you can get a coach. Someone who holds you accountable but also helps you put things in perspective. It can also help you identify areas and behaviors that may be contributing to added stress but when looked at through another lens or an objective person like a coach can help you think about it differently.

I spend the first hour of my day in quiet time. Self reflective time where I can clearly sit and be mindful of my breathing and just meditate giving myself grace and reminder that it is a new day.

If you want to handle stress well, especially in a high-pressure leadership role, taking care of your health is key. Make sure to eat right, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. These basic habits will keep your mind and body in good shape, helping you stay resilient and energized to deal with daily challenges. It's also a great idea to work relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing into your routine. They're a direct way to reduce stress and stay focused and level-headed. For leaders who want to perform at their best and maintain their well-being despite demanding careers, these practices are an absolute must.

Maintaining a healthy life to reduce stress: 1. Prioritize self-care and engage in activities that promote relaxation and rejuvenation. 2. Practice stress management techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation. 3. Maintain a balanced diet by consuming nutritious foods and limiting caffeine, sugar, and processed foods. 4. Regularly engage in physical activity to reduce stress and boost your mood. 5. Get sufficient and quality sleep to support stress management. 6. Set boundaries, manage time effectively, and establish realistic goals. 7. Cultivate healthy relationships and surround yourself with supportive individuals. 8. Practice effective time management and prioritize tasks. 9. Seek professional help.

Take care of your physical and mental health by prioritizing activities that promote well-being. This includes getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and practicing relaxation techniques such as mindfulness or meditation. Avoid excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol, and other substances that can exacerbate stress.

You must find interests outside of your work or whatever is causing the stress. Sometimes it is as simple as getting outside and taking a break. Find something that ignites your passion. News anchor Dan Harris wrote a book some years back called "10% Happier". Fascinating read about how he learned how to practice mindfulness and meditation in a hyper competitive business environment.

I'd recommend to any late-career professional feeling stressed to really dive into what they love doing. Getting into hobbies, creative stuff, or anything new that clicks with your values is a great stress-buster and a big happiness booster. Think mentoring, teaching, or even kicking off a new business venture—these are ways to inject fun and fulfillment back into your life while also adding to your professional growth. At this point in your career, it's all about mixing your hard-earned expertise with passions that light you up, creating a blend that's not just rewarding but downright enjoyable.

Pursuing your interests and passion can easily reduce stress level, because it helps alot in increasing happiness and satisfaction.

Make time for activities outside of work that bring you joy and fulfillment. Whether it's a hobby, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in creative pursuits, having outlets for relaxation and enjoyment can help alleviate stress and prevent burnout. Remember to schedule regular breaks and vacations to recharge and rejuvenate.

What we sometimes forget is that we are lucky to always have the biggest de-stresser with us: it is our body! Stress lives in our head, so get out of your head and connect to your body. Find ways that work for you: breathing, mindfulness, activating your senses, body scan, yoga. As long as it connects you to your body, it will have a de-stressing effect on you. Connect inward to ask yourself what would give you peace. Specific areas in the body you could connect to (focus your attention on) to get clarity about what you (don’t) want are: - Lower belly - this represents our gut feel / inner compass to validate where we are in life - Upper breastbone - this represents our values, purpose and emotions, what is most important to you

My biggest source of stress was: 1. That I was expecting myself to perform at the level of some youngsters in the organisation. While they had a specialisation I was leading multiple functions and I realised that I can’t peg myself with junior resources. I need to give myself credit for the teams I’ve built and the motivated teams that I manage by not being functional busy more of people orientation. 2. The second biggest stress was to stop managing the Team and focus only on my Direct Reports and build trust with them, ensuring they satisfactorily manage they own DR’s - this is a simple change that can reduce a lot of stress.

Reassess your expectations and challenges and other source of stress With so much of experience and background there should be enough support and opportunities to figure out Meditate and practice self care It's OK to feel some of these things. Don't overthink Make smaller goals and celebrate thier achievements

In addition to the above strategies, consider exploring stress management techniques such as time management skills, setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and practicing self-compassion and resilience. If stress persists despite your efforts to manage it, consider seeking support from a mental health professional who can provide personalized strategies and coping mechanisms. Additionally, explore opportunities for professional development or career advancement that align with your interests and goals, as a sense of purpose and fulfillment can help mitigate stress in the long term.