Working World

Stress is nothing new. We were all working hard and worrying plenty, even before the recession. But now there are so many layers of loss, conflict and apprehension that coping sometimes feels like a full-time job. It’s important to keep it all under control to protect both your physical and mental health, and to be able to make good decisions that will see you through to the end of this.  

Physical Activity and Exercise

Just being able to blow off some steam through exercising or a competitive sport can channel pent-up negative energy in constructive ways instead of inappropriate or destructive ones (like unleashing on the annoying jerk in the next cubicle). For some, a more meditative activity like a yoga or tai chi can have a similar effect and will also keep you fit.

Then, when it’s time to crawl into bed, you’ll find that your exertion earlier in the day aids you in achieving a peaceful slumber, which is an absolute must for dealing with stress. Chronic sleep deprivation in addition to pressure and worry is almost sure to provoke an emotional meltdown sooner or later.

At first you might be tempted to say you’re too busy working or trying to keep up with all the other demands of your life. But the benefits can be so great…can you afford not to invest a couple of hours a week on maintaining your sanity?

Procrastination & Conflict Resolution

A lot of worrying is focused on things that have not happened yet. Avoidance of unpleasant tasks, people or situations simply makes them an ongoing presence in your life rather than a one-time occurrence that you deal with and move past. If you do the task or delegate it, propose solutions to conflicts and resolve problems proactively, you remove the irritant and can get on with your life. It frees up enormous amounts of energy, and the feeling of empowerment is rejuvenating. So be brave, dive in and deal with it.

Mini-vacation

Even if leaving town is out of the question, we can still escape for a few minutes or an even an hour once in a while, and this momentary decompression can help a lot. Make sure you allow yourself a peaceful interlude when you need to, whether it’s going to sit on a quiet stretch of beach or taking a 30-minute walk through a canyon. Nature can be very healing and it is surprisingly accessible in our city.

Other retreats are available almost everywhere. These can be fun to find and useful to visit: a favorite library, a neighborhood museum, a religious sanctuary or a pocket park. There are all kinds of hidden treasures tucked away in unexpected places, and they’re usually deserted, which brings a delightful detachment from the hustle and bustle of busy boulevards. Find your own special spot and don’t tell anyone where you’re going.  

Suzanne Ridgway is a freelance writer and regular columnist/contributor for Working World and Working Nurse magazines. Suzanne also writes grant proposals for nonprofit organizations.