Three Powerful Ways to Prevent Stress

Do you feel exhausted before the day is even half over? Stress drains us of our energy, weakens our focus, our immune system, and our brilliance. Research shows prevention is still the number one way to reduce stress beating out even exercise and meditation. Stop the stress from happening in the first place to start feeling more energized. Here’s three ways:

Stop Saying One More Thing – The conversation is almost over and you say one more thing. The long-winded coworker hears your last sentence as an invite to keep going instead of as a conversation close. One more quick question launches into a much longer discussion as the clock ticks and your other priorities are not completed. You finish the break room banter with one last funny phrase and now the exchange lasts several more minutes. Connect with your colleagues, build relationships, and make your point heard. However, be aware of the impact of saying one more thing. Is your message well-timed and well-received when your one last comment or concern expands the scope and length of a meeting or detours the topic? Be conscious of the impact of saying one more thing on your energy, productivity, and reputation.

Stop Doing One More Thing – What do late people do? One more thing! For example, you are leaving for work, a meeting, appointment, or even going home and decide to squeeze just one more email, phone call, or small task. You tell yourself this will just take a quick minute. No matter how little time that one more thing takes we end up rushing. Our heart beats faster, breathing gets shallower and whoa-la our body is now in stress mode. The next time you are tempted to do one more thing before you go, stop. After you arrive where you need to be, devote the extra time and energy to something that will make you shine. Ground yourself with affirmations, read an interesting article or take five deep breaths. Feel free to stop doing one more activity too! Give up that one more thing to give back to yourself.

Stop Small Annoyances – All the little frustrations add up: the cellphone that doesn’t hold a charge, the computer glitch that is bugging you, the stapler that jams, the awkward conversation you’ve been avoiding at home or at work. The small things that wear on you build stress. They contribute to your breaking point or even become the straw that breaks the camel’s back on a particularly tough day. Like an annoying mosquito buzzing around your head as you try to sleep, all the little frustrations you deal with regularly drain you of the energy you need to tackle the big stresses in life. Take action and remove what’s bugging you one item at a time.

How can you use prevention to become a more powerful you?

At the heart of every sale, every interaction between a leader and a team member, every conversation with a customer…. is a connection. And most importantly, connection begins within. How to make those connections effective, and leverage them for greater success whether in person or remotely, is the thread that is woven into every one of Colette Carlson’s presentations. For more information on Colette’s customized, virtual or in-person programs, give us a call.

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