As with chocolate and the occasional cocktail, many things in life are best experienced in moderation. The same goes for stress. A natural human experience, stress is a topic that we have covered many, many times in blog posts as well as newsletter articles here at Tea Drops. In fact, many of our teas are geared toward helping you relax and release this kind of tension.
Stress is something that is absolutely unavoidable. It is something we all will encounter as we navigate our way through school, work, and family life--and here's the crazy part: it actually has its benefits!
In honor of the month of presidents, we want to focus some of our attention on ways to foster and inspire great leaders. Great leaders know their strength and also understand their humanity. In this, the most effective and long-standing leaders know to keep things in moderation and have a focused plan for keeping stress within a manageable range.
According to a study done by the University of California, Berkeley, reveals that moderate experiences of stress are actually "good" for the mind and body. For instance, intermittent stress levels trigger the development of memory-boosting cells in the brain. Have you heard of the term "grace under fire?" We can become more productive, efficient, and enact a call to action when things get heated. However, if this experience continues for too long, the ability to produce new cells is cut off. Prolonged distress causes degeneration and introduces the main culprits we may be well-acquainted with when it comes to stress: obesity, depression, and a handicap on the brain's ability to maintain self-control.
In order to enact the benefits and minimize the pitfalls of stress, let's do as many successful individuals and inspiring leaders do and embrace their tactics for keeping their cool--in moderation.
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Focus on your own patch of green.
Instead of looking at what you don't have within your grasp, focus on what you do have and find appreciation in it. Although it is so easy to do (and very human), try your hardest not to try to envision what could have been, but enjoy what is right in front of you. -
Take a break.
Research shows that something as simple as a break from email relaxes a busy professional. Whether it's forwarding your phone calls during lunch break--as we challenged earlier this week--or giving yourself a vacation, you'll help to keep stress at bay. -
Sleep is the answer.
The mind and body takes nightly restful sleep as a chance to recharge, rejuvenate, and tidy up your memory. Too many nights staying up to see the sun rise will take its toll on everything, including your ability to perform even the most basic daily tasks. People with success in mind keep in mind that their physical well-being is an asset and deserves to be well-maintained. -
Surround yourself with positive people.
Whether it's with a brief pep talk or simply approaching a recurring or long-term issue from a completely different angle, keep your outlook fresh in order to keep stress and doubt from overcoming your pursuits. One of the key factors that contributes to your outlook is the company you keep. Surround yourself in a positive environment, take in some silent time, and respectfully remove people that don't serve the enrichment of your life. Managing your environment requires constant attention, but the benefits of peace of mind and a positive mindset is priceless. -
You are not alone.
Nobody is an island. Even those who seem to have risen to success solo had a support team and an emotional safety net when things get hairy. Having an emotional escape or a shoulder to cry on can help keep everything in perspective and provides an outlet keeping that feeling of being completely overwhelmed and overtaxed away.
Half of being a leader is furthering your own life, the other half is the ability to inspire and guide others. Keeping moderation in mind, we hope that these tactics will help you reach your full and honest potential and maintain your best self, inside and out.
Posted by Erin Schwartz
