Stress at Work: 6 Stress Busters to Reduce Work-Related Anxiety

What's the effect? Stress. As a matter of fact, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports an estimated of 40 million Americans suffering from different types of anxiety disorders.

Anxiety is often the result of stress, and because of that, it's something that's really unavoidable. That's why we're here to help; here are some ways on how you can minimize the stress levels in your body.

#1. Don't Be a Caffeine Fiend

There's just something about having a cup of Joe to start the day. Although caffeine can help improve your energy levels right away, it also triggers anxiety symptoms, such as an upset stomach, shaky hands, and racing heart.

Although the symptoms you're going to experience aren't really the actual cause of anxiety, once you're in a sensitized state, you're going to feel more vulnerable to the psychological effects of caffeine, and the body would misinterpret those effects as results of anxiety.

#2. Don't Overthink the Stressors

Sometimes, the more you think about what's making you all worked up, the more you'll feel anxious about it. The truth is, stress wouldn't go away, and there are a lot of jobs that are inherently stressful. The best thing you can do is set these anxieties or stressors aside because they wouldn't do you any good at all.

#3. Embrace Anxiety

Have you ever been in a meeting and started getting cold sweats, matched with a racing heartbeat? You have a few options to resolve that; either fight the feelings and remove yourself from the situation, or embrace anxiety. By accepting anxiety, you'll be able to get use to it and learn how to ignore those feelings once it hits you again.

#4. Nothing Wrong with Faking

Sometimes, the only thing you can do is grin and endure it. Believe it or not, there are instances where faking actually bring good results. It lets the anxiety pass, and make you feel confident at the same time. So, what are you waiting for? Stand up tall, and don't let those anxieties swallow you whole.

#5. Consider Taking a Breather

Whenever it's possible, try to check in with yourself all throughout the day-- this can be done by simply taking deep breathes, or if possible, practice meditation.

Make it a habit to drop your shoulders to release any tension from your body. These little things can help in uplifting your mood and make you feel a little more relaxed.

#6. Keep Moving

Exercise doesn't only make you look good, but it can help you feel good as well. Just like what they always say, a healthy body leads a healthy mind.

https://ezinearticles.com/?Stress-at-Work:-6-Stress-Busters-to-Reduce-Work-Related-Anxiety&id=9457246

The Hybrid Mind

Optimistic researchers are suggesting that digital technology is creating the smartest generation yet, freed from limitations of geography, weather and distance - those pesky inconveniences of the physical world. However, other people, such as philosophers and sociologists including many educators, are skeptical of the benefits of technology. They believe that technology alone is detrimental to our overall mental health and well-being.

In order to get the benefits of the digital world, we need nature to help us out. In other words, we can't leave out nature out of the equation and take the time to commune with nature if we are to have a healthy mind and body.

The hybrid mind combines the use of computers to maximize our ability to process intellectual data and natural environments help to ignite our senses and accelerate our ability to learn and feel. So, we need both the digital and nature to have a healthy mind and brain.

The digital era has led to sensory dysfunction. Nature is the way to counteract sensory deprivation and to augment our minds with something that gives us meaning and balance as well as a feeling of well-being and connectedness.

Here are a few ways to counteract our sensory deprivation:

• Take time to be out in nature. Play tennis and badminton with your family and friends. This will get you outside.

• Listen to the birds. Take time to get outdoors, whether it is into your back yard or going out for a walk. Try and name at least two to three different bird songs that you hear along your walk.

• Take a walk in the woods. This will give you a chance to commune with nature in its rawest form. You will be able to bask in the smells and sounds of nature.

• If you are a jogger, make sure that you jog in nature as often as you can. Go to the park or river bank if you live close to one, and run there.

• Choose times to walk when the world is not bustling and busy. Perhaps early morning or evening would be a good choice, depending on where you live. The quieter it is, the more clearly you will hear and commune with nature.

• Have at least four or five picnics every summer. This is another great way of spending time in nature.

By taking these steps, you could be getting the best from nature and you can also get the best out of the digital world by using your devices most efficiently so that you can have time to get out into nature and do the things that you enjoy the most.

https://ezinearticles.com/?The-Hybrid-Mind&id=9631200

Say 'No' to These 5 Things for an Immediate Life Improvement

The word "no" gets a bad rap in the entrepreneurial community. It can feel like a selfish assault to say "no" to someone when you heavily rely on the help and support of others.

However, there’s an enlightened difference between saying "yes" and "no" that is dependent on the circumstances surrounding the request or event. Saying "no" to things can be just as important as "yes" in your growth as an entrepreneur and for the growth of your company.

How can you tell when you’re saying "yes" or "no" at the right time? Honestly, it’s all in a gut check about how the response makes you feel.

Saying "yes" to the right things makes you feel good. You get energized, pumped up, excited and eager when you’re saying "yes" to the people, places and actions that bring you closer to your vision.

If you’re saying "yes" and feeling drained, lethargic, dreading the next step or wondering why you agreed to whatever you’re about to do, you need to learn the positive effects of saying "no."

"No" sets boundaries. "No" creates more room for the “yes” stuff in your life. "No" can feel just as rewarding, positive and fulfilling as "yes" when it’s done right.

Here are five important things to say no to this year:

1. "No" to tasks you can easily outsource instead. 

Entrepreneurs consistently need more of two things: money and time. You can create more money, you can scale more income, but you can’t create more time. There will always be 24 hours in a day, no exceptions.

Since you can’t control the amount of time you have access to, focus instead on the amount of time you can leverage from others. Outsourcing is a fantastic way to keep momentum in your life and your business.

Is your time best spent cleaning? If not, hire someone to clean. Is your time best spent preparing meals or answering phone calls? You can outsource both those things. Look for all the ways and places you can say "no" to tasks that you could easily (and probably affordably!) outsource.

2. "No" to actions that don’t match your vision.

Before you say "yes" to any request, ask if it matches your vision. There are a lot of great speaking opportunities, podcast interviews, charity events, mentoring opportunities and so many more potentially limitless lists of activities and events to get involved with in your life. However, just because something is a good cause, great product or smart idea, doesn’t mean it’s intuitively the right fit for your vision.

Say "no" to actions or events that don’t match your vision. Remember, you need to leverage your time because you can’t create more, so say "no" to things that don’t contribute directly to your best version of your vision.

3. "No" to things that distract and destroy your time.

We’re already back to talking about time! Time is your most precious resource, so why let any activity distract or destroy that? This is about setting boundaries with others, regardless of business or pleasure.

Have a friend who loves to gossip? You don’t have time for that anymore. Either say "no" to that conversation or don’t answer the phone. Do you have staff members who are prone to long stories or talks of sports scores? Decide carefully whether those activities enhance your time or kill it. Friends want you to go to Happy Hour every Friday night? If you aren’t getting real value out of those interactions then it’s time to let them go.

Say "no" to the things that don’t make you better and that waste your time.  

4. "No" to things that aren’t healthy for your mind and body.

You don’t have time to be sick or feel sluggish. You just don’t. Take your health and well-being very seriously, because right up there with time is your health so you can enjoy your time and your business.

You know the saying, garbage in, garbage out? Make sure you’re saying "no" to any garbage you’re putting into your mind and body. "No" to negativity. "No" to fake, bad food. "No" to lethargy. Just say "no" to the thoughts, activities and fuel that isn’t good for you. Fuel yourself with the right no’s to stay healthy.

5. "No" to things that aren’t up to you or in your control.

There are things in this life that are inevitably out of your control -- lots of them, actually. So you have a choice. You can fret and freak out about things such as the government, the economy, your partner, the weather or any other variable outside your power, or you can chose to say "no" to the stress that comes from getting upset about things you can’t control.

This isn’t about giving up, it’s about knowing you’re going to get through whatever storms may come. Frankly, giving in to worry or the illusion you can control the outcome only creates stress and wastes time.

Say "no" to the belief that you can always be in complete control. Say "no" to the undue stress that comes from trying to change outcomes that aren’t up to you.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/241965