Over Stressed at Work? Ready to “Throw in the Towel?”

How often do we think or feel we just can’t go on at our present job. “The boss isn’t listening” or “The demands are too high”.  If I hear we’re going to “do more with less” one more time…!!!

Before you do something or say something impulsively that will cost you your job, your income and most likely increase your stress… take three to five slow (20 second) deep breaths. A lot of people are not aware that less oxygen triggers your sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight” ) and your adrenal gland (adrenaline rush) which acts to reduce clear and rational thinking.  While we think our fight or flight mechanism is only triggered by life threatening event, like a bear coming out of the woods or a car close to hitting us, it can actually be triggered by our own thoughts or, at least, the thoughts we choose to focus on.

The next time you feel your heart start beating a little faster at work, your blood pressure begin to boil and your thoughts about your boss, a colleague, or your job become more negative… STOP (Share The Oxygenation Plan) ... take three to five 20 second breaths and then you’ll be better able to clearly think about options, solutions and strategies to resolve the particular issue(s). You can do this many times per day during mild or intensely frustrating moments. By using deep breathing and other relaxation strategies you will not only have better access to your brain and, thus, sharper thinking, you will also be more light-hearted, more approachable and others will be better able to hear your ideas.

If your work-life balance becomes too difficult to manage, contact our professional counsellors in Oshawa to pick up the tools and strategies that can help you regain your sense of emotional balance and confidence at work. To help you improve fast, call, email or even Skype us  today.