Beat Stress, Perform Better
Stress is an unavoidable part of life, affecting everyone differently. How we manage stress determines whether it becomes a positive force that motivates us or a negative one that drags us down. While often seen as a negative emotion, stress plays a crucial role in our survival. It can drive us to perform better, helping us face challenges head-on.
Understanding Stress
At its core, stress is an imbalance between the demands placed on you and your ability to cope with them. Whether it’s moving house, financial worries, or relationship issues, stress can stem from many sources, but work is often the biggest culprit.
“If you ask what the single most important key to longevity is, I will have to say it is avoiding worry, stress, and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it.”
—George Burns
“If you ask what the single most important key to longevity is, I will have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it.”
The Impact of Stress: A Global Issue
Stress is consistently ranked as one of the top three self-reported work-related illnesses worldwide. According to the Labour Force Survey for 2019/2020, 828,000 workers in Great Britain reported suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, leading to 17.9 million lost working days. Now, imagine the scale of this issue across Europe, the USA, and globally—the cost to the world economy runs into billions.
What Happens When You’re Stressed?
When you perceive a threat, your brain triggers the release of stress hormones, priming your body for the “fight or flight” response. This means your body increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your muscles, heart, and brain, helping you to think and act quickly. Once the perceived threat is gone, your body returns to a state of calm.
Short bursts of stress can be beneficial, but if stress becomes chronic, it can lead to significant mental and physical health problems.
Mentally, you may experience:
- Anxiety
- Depression or apathy
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Reduced interest in sex
Physically, you may experience:
- Muscle aches and pains
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Heart palpitations
- Exacerbation of existing conditions (e.g., eczema, asthma)
Chronic stress can lead to serious health issues like high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and weakened immunity. The key to managing stress is to regain control of your life.
Steps to Reduce Stress
Taking proactive steps to manage stress is essential not only for your well-being but also for the well-being of those around you, such as your partner, children, friends, and extended family. Here are some key strategies to help you manage stress effectively:
- Limit Distractions: Focus on what’s important and eliminate unnecessary interruptions.
- Maintain a Balanced Diet: Nutrition plays a critical role in how your body handles stress.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity is a powerful stress reliever.
- Learn to Say No: Set boundaries to avoid overcommitting.
- Delegate or Share Responsibilities: You don’t have to do everything yourself.
- Stay Organized: Use tools like a pen and pad to clear your mind.
- Create Quiet Time: Allow yourself moments of peace and solitude.
- Take a Walk: Nature can be a great stress reliever.
- Listen to Music: It can have a calming effect on your mind.
- Talk to a Friend: Sometimes, just talking it out can reduce stress.
- Learn to Relax: Techniques like yoga and mindfulness can help you manage stress better.
If stress becomes overwhelming, consult your GP for additional support and advice.
“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” – Anais Nin
Final Thoughts
While your body can handle short bursts of stress, it’s crucial not to let stress accumulate. Use the positive aspects of stress to motivate yourself and stay attuned to your body’s signals. By taking control and making small changes, you can transform stress from a burden into a tool for better performance and a healthier life.
Needing to explore how you can improve upon your stress levels, then book in a Genius Zone Consult to discover what your current challenges are and explore how I can support you in solving those challenges.
Lastly, ask yourself what will you do to reduce your current stress today?
