Deal with Stress Today » Co Workers

Deal with Stress During the Holidays

donnam — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:09:15 +0000

It is that time of year again; that whirlwind of gift-giving holidays, marketing blitzes, holiday parties and activities galore that begins right after Halloween, builds to Thanksgiving, and continues gaining momentum through the end of the year. For many this is the most favorite time of the year, but for others it is filled with pressure and stress. My strategy for dealing with stress during the holidays is simple, “do less and be more”.

FAMILY STRESS
The holiday season is also a time when many of us spend time with family members that we may only see once or twice a year. Seeing people that may emotionally charge us is one of the biggest holiday stressors. Before seeing those individuals that cause you stress, take time to do some deep meditative breathing. Think about the situations that may arise and bring you stress, contemplate what you may do differently in this situation instead of your typical reaction to this stressful person. While breathing think about what it is that you are thankful for. By finding something to be grateful for it crowds out other feelings of resentment and annoyance. Another option is to reduce time spent with certain family members if you find it too uncomfortable. Give yourself permission to strongly consider this.

LESS IS MORE
When we over-do we spread ourselves too thin and we are left feeling frazzled. It is easy during this time of year to fill up your schedule with every holiday party that you are invited to. Commit to less events and the truly enjoy the people at the ones you attend. Being with friends, family and co-workers at this time of year is what the season is all about anyways.

HOLIDAY SPENDING
With the marketing promotions out there it is hard to resist spending and buying. There is no reason to finance your holidays for the next six months, which will inevitably cause more stress down the road. Be reasonable with holiday spending. You can also tell your children/family members that you are setting a limit on spending for each because that is the responsible thing to do. You can ask them what type of gift(s) they would like within your holiday budget. This also gives them choices. Keep in mind that you are demonstrating financial responsibility and boundaries to others and avoiding later debt and stress.

GIVING TO THOSE IN NEED
Please remember the ones who are truly in need of holiday cheer this time of year; don’t forget to donate to local charities. If you feel moved to help feed the hungry in metro Detroit, Gleaners Food Bank, a wonderful organization allows for online donations. http://www.gcfb.org There are many hungry people that will not have the spread of holiday foods we may take for granted.

Above all, this holiday season to take time to be present to all of the wonderful people in your life; time passes by much too quickly. Enjoy the time that you do have with those in your life that bring you joy.

Blessings to you and your families,

Donna Marie

Stay Connected to Reduce Your Fear of Public Speaking

donnam — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:09:40 +0000

An important part of public speaking is interacting with your audience. Many people focus only on the writing of the speech, but fail to consider the delivery. One very important part of delivering your speech is your one on one connection with your audience. By practicing connecting to audience members you can help remove your fear of public speaking.

Much of the fear comes from the unknown, and not knowing everyone in your audience can bring up some stress or fear. To help overcome this, practice giving your speech in front of friends, family or co-workers and getting a positive response. The more times you practice initially the easier it will be to give your speech when the real day comes.

Practice connecting to one individual at a time. Some people feel uncomfortable with giving eye contact directly to those in the audience, but the more you practice looking someone in the eye, the easier it becomes. Even if you are far away from them, the audience will feel that personal connection, and will continue to pay attention. Make sure you do not just look at the front row but speak to all of the rows of people, even those in the back.

Anyone who may be focused on too much can feel on the spot, but saying a few sentences to each person can make the whole audience part of the experience. Here are a few other things to consider when you are giving your speech.

Interruptions can happen during any speech. There could be crying babies, movement in and out of the room, or cell phones that may go off. Preparing for any interruptions that may occur can remove this stress. Do not stop your talk for any reason. By acting unphased by these possible distractions, your audience will remain focused on the speech as well.

Also, be aware of your body language. It’s easy when nervous to have a stiff body or awkward gestures. Practice saying your speech in front of a mirror so that you can see what gestures you normally do, and how you can make your body look even more relaxed the whole time you are delivering your speech.

When it comes to the day of the speech, remember to stick to the flow of your speech and it will all go smoothly. Do your best to stay in the moment at all times. Do not get lost in your thoughts or in any worries you might have. Focus on your points, and sticking to your script, and your speech will be a success.

Mindfulness: Two Powerful Techniques to Reduce Your Stress at Work

donnam — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:04:54 +0000

Have you found yourself becoming more stressed out then usual? Stress, especially in the workplace, can occur for many reasons. Most people fly through life very quickly, not taking time to slow down and enjoy their lives, but simply push through one day to the next.

Moving through the workday at this speed does not allow you the time needed to process any of the daily ups and downs you might encounter during your workday. Dealing with stress at work is an important skill set to cultivate. The more you take the time to work through the minor stressors at work, the easier it will be for you to let each little work incident go, and the happier you will be overall with your job and work situation.

One important thing you can do when it comes to dealing with stress at work, is to give thanks as often as you can. This is a practice called Mindfulness Meditation.

Being aware, in your body, and living life moment to moment, gives you the ability to be thankful for what you have, and analyze the situation around you before responding. Mindfullness Meditation is a wonderful way to relax your mind and your body at the beginning and end of the day.

Another way you can deal with stress at work is to accept that there are certain things in your life that are not within your control. You can’t control assignments you are given, an individuals opinion of you, the hours you have to work every day- but you can make huge strides towards feeling stress free by accepting that there are some things that you personally cannot change.

Instead you can focus more specifically on things that are within your control. You can control how you react in a certain situation, how you communicate with your boss or co-workers, and how much time you give yourself daily to relax and reflect.

Thinking through the things that are within your power to control, gives you the ability to deal with stress at work in a proactive and productive way.

Begin the Day with Mindfulness Meditation to Calm Stress at Work

donnam — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:27:48 +0000

The work climate is sometimes a difficult one, and many people may find it hard to cope with the pressure of dealing with stress while at their job. It makes sense. Most people spend the majority of their day at their job, and the stressors of co-workers, bosses, and looming projects and deadlines sometimes contribute to a difficult working environment.

It’s easy for a small issue at work to become a larger one very quickly, and if you don’t take time to deal with stress at work as it comes, you might find yourself feeling the pressure. While dealing with stress at work may seem like an insurmountable obstacle, it is one that can be easily overcome simply by adding a few simple steps to your day.

In the morning, when you wake up, think about your morning routine. Is there any time for you to stop and give thanks for the blessings you already have in your life? Most people jump from task to task to task throughout their day, and never have even ten minutes to stop and think about things they can be grateful for. Stopping and taking some time to ruminate and give thanks is called Mindfullness Meditation.

Simply reminding yourself of the good things will help you not focus your energy and attention on the negative aspects. Take ten minutes every morning to practice Mindfullness Meditation, and you will quickly see the benefit this practice can have on your day to day life.

You need to make it your goal to not sweat the little things. When confronted with a difficult or stressful situation while at your job, take time to think before you react. Think back to your morning practice of Mindfulness Meditation. By channeling the positive energy you brought with you from the morning, you will be able to deflate some of the mounting frustrations that may arise while on the job.

Remember that everyone deals with their own stressors in different ways, and sometimes their reactions may have nothing do with you. Mindfulness Meditation can be a good addition to your morning routine and can help you when dealing with stress at work.

Choose Mindfulness Meditation When Stressed by Difficult Co-Workers

donnam — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:28:21 +0000

Dealing with difficult co-workers in the workplace can add increased stress to anyone’s life. Everyone knows that one person in their office that they may find it difficult to communicate with. Maybe this is a co-worker who constantly tries to trump you in the office. Perhaps it’s a boss that doesn’t lead successfully, or an assistant that you simply cannot see eye to eye with.

Day to day pressures become more intense, conversations with these individuals can become more strained, and the relationship can begin taking a toll on your work performance. Don’t allow these negative relationships to take over your life! Begin by dealing with stress in the workplace in a positive way!

The first suggestion on dealing with stress in the workplace is to begin practicing Mindful Meditation. Mindful Meditation is a quick and easy way to relax your body and mind, while additionally creating a space that is incredible positive.

Start and end your day with some simple thoughts of what you are grateful for. Try to clear your mind of any negative energy, and surround yourself with positive energy. When you know that you have to interact with this person at work, prepare yourself. Realize that you may become frustrated, but that no situation will be insurmountable. Take a few moments to use Mindfulness Meditation here as well.

First think of the positives. Then you can begin by playing the conversation you are about to have in your mind. Now analyze what part of this conversation might cause you undue stress. Prepare your answers in advance. This way, if the stressful situation does arrive, you will already be prepared.

Next, think about different ways you might be able to communicate with this individual. Finding the best method of communication with difficult co workers is a terrific step in dealing with stress at work. For example, if face to face contact causes a more intense reaction, try communicating mostly over email, or over the phone. If you feel calmer in the morning, try scheduling meetings or talks with this co-worker at that time.

If your other co-workers spend time talking negatively about the office, or specific individuals, choose not to participate. Try to remain as positive about your co-workers and your working environment as you can. The more positive energy you can bring to your job, the easier it will be to deal with the stress at work that does occur in a less taxing manner.

There are many ways in which you can turn a difficult relationship into a positive one. Taking simple steps to relax yourself, practice mindfulness meditation, and carefully choose your method of communication, can have you well on your way to a more upbeat and productive working environment.

Can’t Focus? Mindfulness Meditation will Deal with Stress at Work

donnam — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:00:12 +0000

Finding that you can’t focus while you are at work? Is the stress of the daily grind taxing you in ways that you are having trouble dealing with?

Tons of people around the world find their jobs to be a source of tension in their lives. Whether it is a boss that constantly judges or critiques, co- workers who meddle or argue during work, a stressful project with a tight deadline, or too many things to do all at once, stress at work is a common phenomenon. What should you do about it? Here are some great tips on how to deal with stress at work.

If you can focus on these simple steps, your work stress will quickly and easily be able to be lowered to a manageable level . The first step to dealing with stress at work is called Mindfulness Meditation.

The concept of mindfulness meditation is that many people spend too much time in their daily work environments complaining about what Cialis online is wrong or bad about their jobs, but very little time feeling thankful about the work that is in their lives.

These people (and you may be one of them) tend to see the work environment glass as constantly half empty instead of half full. Ring a bell? Mindfulness Meditation tells you to first express gratitude before complaining.

For example: Yes, the boss might be on your back about this big project, but, you are enormously thankful for being given the responsibility to tackle the project in the first place. Making the oh so important time needed to express gratitude, and practice Mindfulness Meditation regularly, will make the problem itself seem less insurmountable.

Another a good way to deal with stress in the workplace is to eliminate judgments. Do not judge anyone in your working environment negatively. Once you pick up this practice, you will find how quickly you can begin seeing the glass as half full again.

A positive way to help yourself is to allow yourself to say “No,” once and a while. In this fast paced world, we all may find ourselves taking on responsibility after responsibility, without really ever stopping. Sometimes you have to allow yourself to say no. It is possible to do so in a graceful, positive way, to help the other person understand why you are turning them down. Letting the word ‘No” into your daily life will allow you to give yourself a break every once and a while. Then you can focus on doing your work 100 percent, without additional work piling up on the back burner.

Learning how to practice Mindfulness Meditation, keeping a positive attitude while at work, and letting yourself say no sometimes, are three spot on strategies to employ when dealing with stress at work.

How to Deal with Stress at Work and Thrive

donnam — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:51:42 +0000

If you are having trouble dealing with stress at work, do not worry, you are not alone. The majority of people find that their day to day work schedule evokes some kind of stress response. If your daily stressors build up too much, it can start effecting your work performance, your mood, and even stay with you after your work day has ended.

It may seem like stress at work is a problem that is unavoidable, but this is far from the case. There are numerous way in which you can take time to relax during your work day, thereby reducing your over all stress load and relaxing your mind and body. Not only will you be in a better, more uplifted mood, but also you will be ready to focus more clearly on the work tasks that lie ahead of you.

Lets begin with some easy ways in which you can relax your mind and body. Mindfulness meditation is a wonderful way for you to make the bigger problems feel just a little bit smaller. Practice expressing gratitude for a situation before allowing yourself to complain about it. This simple activity can do wonders for your mood.

Also, try to take a moment to yourself. If you feel yourself surrounded by a difficult situation, tell yourself that you are going to begin dealing with your stress at work. Next, notice the people that work closely with you in your office environment.

It is very likely that some of those people bring negative energy to their dealings with you. Being surrounded by too many folks bringing negative energy to the table can make anybody stressed out and anxious! Try to analyze better ways in which you can deal with these people.

If face to face interactions cause undue stress, perhaps you can try proceeding with them through more email correspondence. If you have co workers who constantly interrupt you while working, you can kindly remind them that you are trying to focus, and can speak to them when you have some more time.

Also, meditation can help greatly release some of your stress. Try taking some deep, cleansing breaths when you feel like you are overloaded. try to clear your mind of the individual stressor, and envision yourself deeply relaxing.

Whenever you feel your body going into a stress response, deep breathing can help immensely. By using mindfulness meditation ( which will remind you to think positively,) and relaxation, you can take your mind off of the stress at hand. When you take breaks, allow at least part of your break time to be time used for relaxation. By practicing these simple things, soon you too will find that dealing with stress at work is easier then expected.

The Holidays are Here: Tips to Deal with Stress

Mindfulness Meditation: Consciously Relax and De-Stress

donnam — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:28:48 +0000

Are you ready to tackle stressors in your life? Are you looking for a way to deal with day to day hurdles that get in your way? There are many simple techniques to keep the stress from piling up, but the key to all of them is mindfulness.

Mindfulness is being aware in the moment. Too often our lives fly by on hyperspeed and we can barely remember how we feel, what we did that day or when the last time was that we took some time for ourselves. It is very important to stay in the moment at all times.

Mindfulness can help in numerous aspects of our lives, especially while dealing with stress. Mindfulness, when paired with relaxation, visualization and meditation, can be the keys to leading a life that is much calmer and more connected.

Begin by taking some time every day to focus on yourself. If you need to get up a little earlier, or use part of your lunch break- do it! It is easy to spend too much time focusing on others, be it family, friends or co workers, and we usually forget that we should be number one. It is time now to focus on yourself!

Take some time to do some deep breathing and focus on the day ahead of you. Think about events that may be causing you stress in the future. By focusing on events, mindfully, piece by piece, the stressor won’t seem so large, but instead will become manageable. If there is a specific situation that causes you anxiety, playing out how the situation will go in a positive way creates a higher likelihood that you will feel less stressed in a given situation!

Also use some of your personal time to do some deep breathing. Find a comfortable place to sit or lay down. After you have thought about things that may be coming up in your day, try to clear your mind of anything that may be causing you undue negativity. Studies have found that people who relax and meditate on a regular basis not only have lower levels of stress, but are healthier over all!

You too can tackle any problem or situation head on by planning it out in your head. When you enter a stressful situation, think back to the planning you did before hand. You will find that many of those situations become easier to deal with. By taking a few simple steps to relax and take some time to simply focus on you, you will soon find that you are on your way to having decreased stress on a regular basis.

Deal with Stress with Mindfulness Meditation