Managing Pressure - Hot Tips

Understanding The Stress Process

• Pressure is inevitable - dealing with it is important.
• Stress is cumulative - if you don't deal with it, it gets worse.
• Deal with it now - the sooner you deal with it, the less you have to.
• Can cause huge chemical imbalances in the body - adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol.
• Affects every organ in the body and can reduce energy levels by up to 70%.
• Our moods effect our response to situations.
• Stress effects you and everyone around you.
• Stress is linked to your lifestyle.

Responsibility

• Do not ignore the symptoms - they wont go away.
• You are the only person who can help you - remember the universe rewards action not thought!
• Pressure is increasing - protect yourself.
• Develop good habits that suit your lifestyle.
• Embrace the Breaking Patterns philosophy - remember if you always do what you've always done you always get what you've always got!
• It is your perception of a situation that is the threat - if you think you can't cope you won't.
• Work on the 'choosing when to worry' technique - will worrying about this alter the outcome?
• Take control of what is happening to you.

Action Plan

• Get up straight away when the alarm goes off.
• Have breakfast.
• Start your day in control.
• Make sure your work position is comfortable and allows room for moving.
• Do not delay tasks you don't like doing. You will feel better as soon as they are completed.
• Reduce caffeine levels where possible...keep water by your desk.
• Take a break at lunchtime - get away from your desk and into the fresh air.
• Read a book at lunchtime if you can - focusing on something different will benefit you when you return to your desk.
• Try to deal with one task at a time.
• If you feel your stress levels rising, deal with the stress first. (Breathing, move away from desk, take a walk).
• Close your work down smartly - if you leave your desk/workstation in a mess it will have an adverse effect in the morning.
• Get some contrast between home and work - changing your clothes is a good way of leaving
  work behind.
• Avoid eating a heavy meal before going to bed.
• If you have something that is worrying you, try to deal with it before you go to bed - even if it is writing it down to deal with tomorrow.
• Try to wind down before getting into bed - warm bath, listen to some music.
• Tell yourself it's going to be a good day tomorrow.

REMEMBER - Balance is the key. Common sense is all too often overruled by common practice. Don't let this happen to you - take some action NOW!