When stress strikes, we feel it immediately with every muscle and breath, whether it is caused by work pressure, deadlines, money problems, or global situations we have out of control - like the pandemic of the last 2 years or the war of Russia in Ukraine.
Stress finds its way to increase exponentially if you fail to take some time to reflect. When you are stressed, you are more likely to get irritated faster or cause unnecessary debates. Productivity also drops exponentially, slowing you down and causing - unfortunately - even more stress. It may take some time at first, but it is absolutely important to break the cycle and calm down.
We at AiLend prioritize the well-being and care of colleagues, so from time to time, we take care that we are on the ground and share tips with each other on how to live and work healthier. Below are some of our favorite techniques we use to calm down and relax. We hope you find them useful :)
Focus on your accomplishments 🔓
Think of a moment when you did something very difficult and yet you still succeeded. That feeling of "I've faced harder things than that and I made it" can be extremely powerful. In addition, it allows you to take a step back for a second and understand the perspective, which we rarely do. If that doesn't work, put in a smile. Studies show that smiling makes it easier to cope with a stressful situation.
Read a book 📖
When the temperature of the situation gets too hot, we all want to escape. The book is a perfect way to get rid of the “heat”. There is no need for an internet connection, which allows you to disconnect from the phone, emails, social media, which are great conductors for stressful situations. Stories that have nothing to do with your work or life allow you to give your brain a little rest and anxiety, and also make you feel better about the way you are spending your time.
Meditate 🧘
Have no idea where to start? There are endless online resources or free mobile apps that guide you through the whole experience. By meditating for a few minutes every day, studies show that not only the mind but also the body is relaxed which enables the removal of stress. Will you be stressed again? Of course. But, at least, the stress intensity decreases and lasts less time.
Make a step back 🚶🏽♀️
The first moment you feel stress overwhelm you, focus on breathing - usually at such moments breathing is fast and shallow. By taking a deep breath, you will immediately understand the difference. If you can, you can take a short break to distance yourself from the situation. You can use the vacation to take a short walk, dance, enjoy a favorite food or meet someone close. Oftentimes, just taking a step back helps us to see things from a different perspective. When you stop controlling something (or someone), things go their way.
Organize your day 📅
One of the biggest sources of stress is being late. To avoid this source of anxiety, make sure you give yourself time from one appointment to another by organizing the calendar well. This can be applied to work, as well as other situations - such as travel. Creating free spaces during the day so that you do not have meetings one after the other, helps to reduce the anxiety that comes when you need to change the topic of discussion, meeting place or the way of contact immediately.