Thursday, February 21, 2013

HOW TO DESTRESS WORK STRESS

Work stress is enormous these days. Many people do the work for more than one, which adds stress. In addition to the workload stress, there is boss stress. That's funny; boss stress.

One thing I know for sure is the traffic to my blog starts to increase on Thursday night, rises a little more on Friday, decreases just a tad on Saturday, and then is up, up, up on Sunday night and Monday. This trend tells me that there is work stress, and besides the fact that people come to me about crazy bosses and crazy workloads.

So, what does one do when they have work stress?

The first thing I would suggest is to evaluate what you are thinking.

When it comes to workload, do you say things like, "I am so overwhelmed," or, "I don't know how I am going to handle all of this?"  When we have this mindset about work or anything, we tend to place fear in our thoughts. The fight or flight response to stress is based on fear. We fight or flee when we are in danger, and when we think of ideas of fear, the reaction is very similar to the fight or flight response. This causes whole lotta stress. In addition, it is not the truth when we say things like this.  

You can handle it; that is what kind of thoughts we must cultivate to manage our stress. 

Look at the evidence, my friend. You are unique and magnificent. Therefore you can handle it. How do I know? Because you are God's child, and He is your Father, that makes you exceptional and magnificent.

When it comes to dealing with an outright unkind and unlikable boss, it is very stressful. 

Do you have a mean boss? Mean is an excellent way of saying other unkind words, but I bet you have some perfect adjectives to describe your boss.

I've had a couple of outright sucky bosses, and that stuff is no fun.

The thing about icky bosses is that they seem to consume our minds with anger, nervousness, and the unwillingness to like work. I say unwillingness because when we have horrible bosses, we tend to focus on that and nothing else. But, if we become aware that there are about a thousand things we like about our job and that the boss is the only thing we don't like, we tend to remember and focus on what is good.

If you have an icky boss, may I suggest you help yourself remember what is good or great about your job by listing everything you love? This will help you focus on the good and not the bad.

Now, if you do not enjoy your work or your boss, and there is not one thing you like about your career, it is time to put the goals in motion to move on. You must do what you can do to make YOU happy. I am certainly not saying just to up and quit your job. I am saying, get your booty in gear and focus on looking for another job slash career.

You can do it; it will make you feel better and raise your hopes. You are the most important person to you. You are the only one who will make or break your life. You are a unique being who can be, do, or have anything if your heart desires it enough. So desire it, my friend.

Okay, so, if your job is super duper and you just want to destress from work stress at the end of the week, may I please suggest meditation, affirmations, and visualizations. I am always preaching this stuff because it works.  

Also, a great way to relieve work stress is to recharge spiritually. We go and go and go, and sometimes we do not recharge spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and/or physically. But we need to recharge, and the best way to recharge spiritually is to get to church on Sunday.

People are very ritualistic when it comes to going to church, I know I am, and I am because I know the great benefits of having a spectacular week, primarily because I am recharged with love. It works, you know? This church stuff.

Recap...

Evaluate your thoughts of doubt that you can or can't handle things. 

YOU GOT THIS! YOU CAN HANDLE ANYTHING BECAUSE YOU ARE A BAD ARS!

Focus on the good in life and at work. Don't forget to list the great things at work and in life.

Meditate and quiet the racing mind.

Affirm what you want! You are worthy of, and deserve, to be calm, confident, and sure of your safety.

Visualize what you want, and see yourself in it because that gives way to faith and hope for you and your future. Visualization is a motivator and an encourager for you and your future.

Get to church ;)

Oh, and read my book ;)

Have a great weekend!

Elizabeth Stanfill