Work-Life Balance: 8-Step Stress Management

As I mentioned in my last post, Work-Life Balance: Finding Inner Peace Despite External Turmoil, Simma Lieberman shared many pearls of wisdom at the last Women in Consulting (WIC) meeting. As I was going through the business cards from that meeting, I came across Simma’s. On it was eight steps to stress management. I thought I’d share them with you. Make sure to check out her site and blog for more stress management and work-life balance advice.

1. Breathe. Remember to breathe. Start each day with five minutes of deep breathing. Take five deep breaths when feeling stressed or anxious.
   Me: the key is to remember; maybe I should add it to Outlook, following step # 6.
2. Visualize. Stop negative/obsessive thoughts by visualizing a positive scene, e.g., the beach, mountains, fishing.
   Me: right now, bed with at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep is a positive scene for me.   🙂
3. Process. Decide when you can control, and take action. Change the things you can. Learn to let go of the things you can’t control.
   Me: I go, I go, I’m going to learn to let go. This is a new mantra I’m going to work on following. It’s that one-step-at-a-time thing I referenced in my last post. I’m sure I will fall at times, but like the toddler learning to walk, I’ll just get up and keep going.
4. Stop worrying. Change destructive self-talk to constructive self-talk.
   Me: Whew! At least one of these is easy for me. 😉 I tend not to be worrier. I find it a waste of energy. But for those times when I do worry, I’ll change the destructive tapes.
5. Schedule. Put yourself on the calendar for fun and relaxation. If you don’t write it in, it won’t happen.
   Me: I’m scheduling a massage first thing tomorrow morning — once it’s a reasonable time to call! Actually, I like this one, as it’s not uncommon for me to let this go. I’m also going to figure out another time to workout besides 5:30am, as it’s not ideal when I’m getting to bed late due to work. Plus, it’s not my favorite time. I feel better when I work out. It helps me relax. It reduces stress.
6. Support. You don’t have to do it alone.  Create a support system of friends.
   Me: this is where WIC is great. All of my WIC colleagues understand better than anyone what I’m going through when it comes to work stresses and work-life balance.
7. Accept. You’ll never be totally caught up in your work. If you were, they wouldn’t need you.
   Me: okay, I’ll accept it. I guess I have to let go of that day dream. As a consultant, I definitely want to be needed!
8. Breathe. Remember to breath!! End each day with at least five minutes of deep breathing.
   Me: I’m off to breath!