TURN STRESS INTO SUCCESS
Return to Beauty Articles

The report is late, your computer just crashed and a big client called to say they were canceling their account. That kind of critical-mass pressure, by any other name, would be stress. But stress doesn't have to leave you zonked out, or downing double-vodkas on your lunch hour. Choosing to view stress in a different light, plus finding healthy ways to offset it, will give you the power to perform better during those high- pressure periods. Here's a point- by-point plan for converting stress into job success!

1. Call "stress" something else. Think of it as a "challenge" and a sign that your career is advancing. A heavy workload is an opportunity to learn new skills and show your stuff. And always, remind yourself that it's a challenge that you can handle.
2. Alternate your tasks. Putting all your eggs in one in-basket -- like blocking out an entire week to work on a single report -- raises the pressure factor. Every 60 to 90 minutes, switch to a different activity for 15 minutes. Return a phone call, read the mail--contrary to your fear that this will "break your concentration," your brain will be refreshed and ready to move ahead.
3. Exercise. OK, so you can't fit in a run or a step class. But look for moments when you can physically move your body. Stand up and stretch while you're on the phone, march in place for a few minutes, take a walk around the office. Mini workouts are important for keeping stress levels in check.
4. Clean up your desk. A new study reveals that tidying your work space is one of the most effective ways to calm yourself. Taking a few moments to organize your pencils and toss old memos allows the mind to re-focus.
5. Make food and sleep a priority. During high-stress periods, most of us tend to shove our basic needs to the back burner, skipping meals and pulling too many late nights. Instead, realize that stress is seriously depleting your body and you MUST refuel it with quality nutrition and regular sleep hours. No excuses.
6. Face your fears. Don't just lie there in the dark agonizing over a project-- write down everything about it that scares you and address them one by one.
7. Don't neglect your buddies. Socializing is a great way to refresh yourself during stressful times and help you regain perspective. No matter how busy you feel, schedule some "fun time" with friends.

Info Source: Glamour, Aug. 1997

Return to Beauty Articles

Please Note:  Some of the information presented in this section may not be original, and it may have appeared in periodicals or from other sources. In such cases credit is given to the source.