My More Extensive List of Tips/Suggestions to Reduce Stress
Below, I've listed some more “tips and suggestions” I’ve collected from articles for reducing stress. Unfortunately not many of them are practical for use at work in-the-moment of stress, but if you can fit them outside of work, they may help. Many of them are actions aimed at helping you move toward a positive state of mind and some of them can be a positive, fun experience you can add to your repertoire of experiences to recall in-the-moment.
- Play with your children (you remember them, they are the people who are either asleep when you get home or the ones asking you to help them with their homework)
- Get organized (then you’ll know when your stress will show up)
- Hold hands with a loved one (not a good idea at work — fine if you work from home)
- Spend time playing with your pet (a pet rock does not qualify)
- Give yourself a mini scalp massage (I actually sat behind a guy who did it in church)
- Squeeze a rubber ball (be sure to switch hands — resist the urge to throw it at someone)
- Dab lavender oil on your wrists and smell it (anyone allergic to strong scents?)
- Make a detailed "to-do" list (go from thinking there were only 15 things you had to do to knowing there are actually 23)
- Delegate your work to others (maybe you can call the laid-off people to help you)
- Get enough sleep (I had a boss who fell asleep in meetings — does that count?)
- Reduce the number of hours you spend at work (right, work at home after the kids go to bed — maintain the façade of efficiency)
- Eat well/healthy (that lunch at your desk while you work may not qualify)
- Eat breakfast (that’s what granola bars and Starbucks are for)
- Ask yourself, "What’s the worst thing that could happen?" (Answer: being fired, getting a low performance appraisal, being given more and more to do)
- Ask yourself, "Will this matter in 20 years?" (at this rate of stress no one will be around in 20 years)
- Chew gum (surprise — this came from a study done for Wrigley’s)
- Don’t take work home with you (worry about it at home instead)
- Make new friends (the people at the unemployment office are very nice)
- Engage in activities that make you feel confident (mowing the lawn, doing the dishes, etc.)
- Count to ten (why not one hundred, it will take your mind off the stress longer)
- Enjoy the moment (No, not the moment of panic)
- Take a vacation (surely someone will cover your work while you're gone — it won’t pile up)
- Make time for yourself (remember when you actually used to have a hobby and do things YOU liked to do?)
- Spend time with supportive and caring people (You can’t bring your spouse to work because s/he’s working too)
- Make Christmas cookies with a friend (put lots of chocolate chips in them for the sugar high)
- Smoke a cigarette (oops, can’t do that within 50 feet of the company property, besides, it’s 95 degrees Fahrenheit outside)
- Take a pill (eight of the top ten selling prescription drugs are for — stress!)
- Consider seeing a doctor (see above — Big Pharma will love you)
- Have a massage (not at work, the company frowns on touching)
- Go rock climbing (holding onto the ledge outside your office window by your fingernails doesn’t count)
- Write down your worries before you go to bed (that way you will know exactly what will be keeping you awake)
- Ask for help (screaming at your boss doesn’t count as asking)
- Go to a movie (just don’t get caught watching it on your computer at work)
- Smile inwardly with your mouth and eyes (it will make everyone wonder what you’ve been up to)
- Reset your expectations (you didn’t really want this job anyway)
- Take a long hot bath or shower (or, just stand out in the rain for a while)
- Write a list of your strengths and keep them with you (is job hunting one of them?)
And a few that can have an impact in-the-moment...
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