By focusing on the things that I can get done while trying todeal with the more dificult issues without the immediate stress. For me, if I am making progress at some level my stress levels go down and I am able to think clearly about the more complicated issues.
Carmen,
Any time you can remove the emotion from a decision process the outcomes are more likely to be positive. Even with tough decisions it is better to step back and reflect and then move forward.
Dr. Gary Carlson
The best stress reducer I have found is the relaxation response technique. Whenever I feel stressed and I don't have a lot of time, I take a few minutes to do the relaxation technique. It helps me focus and evaluate the situation objectively.
victoria,
Taking a look at an issue from another perspective is healthy requires us to analyze for multiple solutions.
Dr. Gary Carlson
Jeff,
You obviously have a great handle on some techniques for dealing with stress. The secret is never stop these practices.
Dr. Gary Carlson
The best way to handle stress, I have found, is to recognize its presence. You cannot fix a problem without first acknowledging the problem exists. Once I can identify the stress, I can then sort through my feelings about it and decide which ones are healthy and which are not.
If stress is still present I usually discuss it with a friend or coworker. They are able to look at it with clarity and with no emotional involvement and give me good, sound advice...advice I might be blocking out with my own thoughts and feelings.
I handle stress in a number of ways including; physical exercise. That might include anything from running, rock climbing or biking. Sometimes I like to "vent" to somebody about the stressful situation. I find that discussion helps to relieve some of that stress and take my mind of the situation. I also try to practice a bit of separation between work and home. I try not to bring work home and vice versa. I try to suggest those same options to my students as a way to try to handle stress.
Michael ,
Well laid out plans are always the best path to take. Your process and outcome with correct analysis placess you in a better position to succeed. Your process is for canelling out bad decisions and allowing logic to take over. Good Practice!
Dr. Gary Carlson
nutisha,
The key is to love what you do. I have 40 years of loving my work.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I have personally used the 4 step process of 1) Stop, 2) Breathe depply, 3) Reflect on the assignment or project, and 4) Choose a path of recovery.
After being involved in many high stress, short fused projects, I failed miserably because I thought I did not have the mental capacity to think through the process and get the job done.
I sought help from a senior manager and she introduced me to the 4 step approach. After realizing in step 3 while reflecting on the issues that created stress I found that I allowed supervisors who were poorly trained and a bad psychological fit for the project to dictate the outcome. Reflecting gave me insight into what questions I should ask and so I added several checkpoints in future projects to stop and reflect on the direction and progress.
I take breaks with the student and try not to take work home with you.
michael,
It is great you have an understanding on what workds for you. Always use the other techniques if possible of exercise, leisure and spiritual rejuvenation.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I love music! When I get stressed or working on a project that's very stressful, I tend to listen to certain music while I work which helps me calm down and work through it.
Brian,
It is good to have a variety of outlets in combating stress. Keep in mind leisure, spiritual rejuvenation and health.
Dr. Gary Carlson
The only solution that has ever worked for me is a good hour of high-intensity exercise mid-day. You are forced to think about the task at hand rather than what will come before or after it.
Marcus,
Harboring issues is not productive, You should work for a solution as soon as possible. But! be sure to think it through.
Dr. Gary Carlson
Christopher,
Additional benefits to doing this is to avoid interruptions. Many times people intrude on the time for your meeting when there people are available to be contacted. This is why retreats work so well.
Dr. Gary Carlson
If I can, stop, call somebody and get it off of my chest ASAP.
Holding a meeting off-site -- even a "working lunch" can be a welcome departure from the conference room and the stressful office environment. Using the off-site to relax a bit can improve workplace relationships, break people out of the cubicles, and improve meeting results.
Q'iana,
These are all excellent stress relievers.
Dr. Gary Carlson
