Tips for Coping with Stress
Those working in insurance come up against stressful and traumatic events every day. Here is how you can reduce your stress levels and increase your productivity. According to Sydney’s emotional resilience expert and author Meiron Lees, these five tips can help you cope with a stressful day in the office.
- Remember that how you manage your mind is within your control. There’s no such thing as a stressful situation stress resides in your body as a feeling. The key is not to become a victim to stressful situations by interpreting situations in a different way. Remind yourself that the experience has been a learning curve and that you’ve been able to help others. Also, always look at the benefits to come out of a situation. Remember that even in the most extreme circumstances, things can always be worse. Sometimes it’s worth looking at what you have, rather than what you don’t have.
- Remember that your physiology affects your psychology. Take some exercise each day. When sitting at your desk, pull your shoulders back and stretch your neck. Also, look up toward the ceiling throughout the day, which makes you feel far happier than when you are looking down toward the ground.
- Do something fun for yourself three times a day. In your lunch break, go for a walk, phone a friend, go out for a morning coffee with a colleague or talk to someone who makes you laugh. It only has to be for a few minutes and doesn’t have to cost anything, but having fun throughout the day can help you focus on something other than work for a while.
- Consider approaching your boss and telling them if you’re not focussed and suggest you may need a mental health day. Ask for the matter to be kept confidential. Remember that asking for help is ok. Be conscious of the fact that transparency is hugely important in the workplace.
- Rather than hanging out for one holiday a year, break your annual leave up so you have something to look forward to throughout the year. Maybe take a fortnight off to go away somewhere with the family and break up your other annual leave days at regular intervals throughout the year, before and after long weekends so you have a break for a few days. It doesn’t have to cost money and staying home and taking time out can be hugely beneficial.
Resilience expert Meiron Lees is the author of D-Stress: Building Resilience in Challenging Times.