Today is ‘National Stress Awareness Day’ and the theme for this year is:
“Employee Wellbeing as a Worthwhile Investment in Your Business”
Anyone who has worked with me over the last year will know how important I believe staff wellbeing is. It is important for all. We cannot support young children as parents, teachers or role-models if we cannot look after, or take responsibility for, our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of our staff and employees. Management should lead by example as well as support staff in ways to reduce stress. Here are some quick tips from the International Stress Management Association (ISMA) to reduce stress:
- Get moving
- Talk to your team but start to listen more
- Be rational and look for the human needs firing in yourself and those around you
- Having meetings where you use left and right brain thinking models
- Drink more water
- Laugh more
- Remember we are all different personalities
- Be less judgemental
- Simplify, clarify and energise regularly
- Spend time with family and friends
- To lift your mood, wear fragrance or put on your best clothes
- Ideas not flowing – change your environment
- Get into a regular pattern of sleep and have one SUPER sleep once or twice a month
You can find out more and download a FREE 4 part Wellbeing Guide at their website: www.isma.org.uk
Take responsibility for your own wellbeing too. Identify what is not working for you and make those changes today. Nurture yourself. You will become more positive and productive and able to handle life’s stressors. Stress management is all about taking charge of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions and the way you deal with problems; leading to a reduction in its harmful effects. Here are some more ideas of things to do:
- Learn to say “no”
- Go for a walk
- Write in a journal
- Take a relaxing bath
- Light some scented candles
- Get a massage
- Watch your favourite programme or film
- Play some ‘feelgood’ music (maybe even dance!)
- Talk to others about how you feel
Why don’t you develop your own ‘stress relief toolbox’ today?