Uncertainty, the unknown, and change bring about stress.
Add into your days interruptions from kids, because they’re now at home while you’re trying to work. Maybe you don’t get as much done in a day that you’re used to getting done. So you feel even more stress, pressure, and overwhelm, which can then lead to burnout.
How are you managing your stress? What are you doing to ensure your stress is at a minimum, especially when there’s so much possible chaos going on at any minute in a given day?
The Top 5 Ways to Manage Your Stress
5. Turn off work—when you feel like you didn’t get enough done in a day, you’re tendency might be to stay up later. So instead of stopping work at 5 or 6 pm, you work until 11 or midnight trying to finish the task that you wanted to get done. Doing this will lead to more burnout. Give yourself permission to stop work. Set a time and be done at that time. Don’t go back to it throughout the night. It’ll be there tomorrow. When you’re up late doing work, it also leads to…
4. Quality and quantity sleep—make sure you’re getting enough sleep every night and you’re not waking up during the night. Put your mind to rest before you get in bed. So when your head hits the pillow your thoughts aren’t still racing, which can keep you up for hours longer.
3. Draw a line between work and home—If you need to work, work. Limit distractions (yes, even if kids are at home). The less interruptions and distractions you have, the more focused you are and the more you’ll get done. If you are hyperfocused and only have an hour to get things done, you’ll get more done in that hour than if you have all day and aren’t focused. Set boundaries with your kids and stick to them. The more you do this, the more you can do the next one on the list.
2. Engage and be present—you’re at home, not doing things you’re used to doing. You have more time to really interact and be present with those in your life. Whether it’s your kids, partner, other family members, or friends, give them your undivided attention. Get back to spending quality time with them and you’ll soon find you’re connecting on a deeper level. One you may have forgotten even existed.
1. Have more fun—The #1 thing you need most in life when you feel stressed, overwhelmed or burned out is to have more fun. Yet it’s the #1 thing you take out of your life, saying, “I don’t have time for that.” Devote at least 15 minutes a day to having fun. My seven-year-old son, B man and I have hallway dance parties. One of us will lip sync to a song, while we both dance. Create your own dance party. Play a game with someone virtually or in person. Games can be fun, strategic, and a fantastic way to engage with others. Make up your own thing…whether it’s painting a canvas, creating a new game, or doing a puzzle.
Take some time and think about the things stressing you out right now. If it’s something out of your control, do your best with the things you can control. At the end of the day (or anytime throughout the day), write down five things your thankful for. Be mindful of the little things that can often be taken for granted. When you stay in gratitude, it relaxes your mind and reduces the stress or anxiety you might feel.
What are you thankful for today?
There have been times when I’ve been so focused on work, that the day gets away from me. Before I know it, it’s dinner time and then bedtime for my son. When this happens, my son always says, “I can’t go to sleep. We didn’t have any fun today.”
Fun is already a part of his daily habits…the thing that MUST happen in order for the day to end. He taught me this, and it’s imperative for us as adults too.
What is one way you can have more fun? Schedule time with yourself to ensure not a day goes by without having fun. You need it now more than ever.
Out of the five strategies mentioned, what is the one you will implement to reduce your stress?
It begins with what you’re willing to do to relieve the stress to better serve you and those around you.
ABOUT JESSICA:
Jessica Rector’s mission is simple: transform lives. With a BBA, MBA and BS, Jessica started, hosted, and produced her own TV talk show in Los Angeles with just an idea to help others launching her first company jessICAREctor International. Having worked with clients such as NBCUniversal, the Dallas Mavericks, and American Airlines, she uses first-hand research, experiences, and strategies, to ignite your brain, extinguish burnout, and ignite your people through her process called Blaze Your Brain.
As a talk show host, keynote speaker, and #1 best-selling author, Jessica consults with companies, trains teams, and speaks at conferences, conventions, and organizations helping you change thoughts, change your outcomes, and ignite the power within. She has shared the stage with Michelle Obama and worked with Fortune’s #2 Best Company to Work For, NBCUniversal and the Dallas Mavericks. Jessica is a Contributor for The Huffington Post and has been seen on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX for creating change. Get Jessica’s recent book, Blaze Your Brain to Extinguish Burnout: 52 Tip to Prevent, Break Through and Eliminate Burnout at jessicarector.com. Connect with her on LinkedIn by CLICKING HERE.
