|
|
Stress Management
In recent times, 'stress' has become an everyday phenomenon in our
lives. We, as Chartered Accountants, are always under pressure to meet
deadlines and due dates! All this takes its toll on our health. One of the
major culprits for heart disease is stress. It is, therefore, essential
that we understand how to cope up with stress.
Studies have proved that excessive tension often leads to serious
health-related problems in the long run. Agreed that tension is a part of
everyone's life; but how you cope up with it is the major issue. And it's
not as easy as it may seem!
In order to get rid of stress, we must first understand the root cause
of it.
'Stress', as defined by the 'Oxford' dictionary means, "pressure,
tension, strain". All these 3 terms are different in their meanings but
yet define a single word! However, some thinking reveals that all 3
actually lead to stress. This means that 'pressure' leads to 'tension'
which in turn 'strains' our entire nervous system to make us feel tired,
fatigued and exhausted. When all this happens, we say that we are
'stressed out'.
Hence, in order to avoid stress, we need to avoid pressure and tension
as much as we can. Though it is generally impossible to totally eradicate
pressure-situations and tensions out of our lives, the least we can do is
trying not to let it leave us stressed at the end of the day.
Many times, it is not the actual work that causes the pressure; it's
the attitude to out-perform others. Fierce competition amongst peers is
often a major reason for excessive tension. But, is it really worth it
when you succeed at the cost of your health? Not really. After all, a
health is wealth. With a successful career at the cost of bad
health-conditions will never let you enjoy your success in the long run.
Success is important but should be achieved whilst keeping stress at its
minimum.
The following are certain techniques that can help in reducing stress
and also increasing work-efficiency:
- When faced with a problem, analyse the situation and figure out the
worst outcome possible in event of total failure. After that calmly
devote your time to improve upon the worst that you have already
accepted.
- When forced to do something that you don't quite enjoy doing, try to
create an interest in it. If nothing else, assume it to be a learning
experience. Any interesting work can be completed quickly without making
you feel fatigued.
- Try not to postpone tasks beyond a certain limit. Once you get into
the habit postponing tasks, there is always a backlog of work after
sometime. The very thought of it can leave you exhausted.
- If you feel that you do have a backlog, try taking some time out
each day to accomplish the tasks. Once the backlog is cleared, make sure
not to let it build up again.
- Avoid a very tight daily schedule. Make sure to leave buffer time so
that unexpected event/tasks don't upset the entire day's schedule.
- Organise your daily routine in a way 'you' find convenient. Someone
else's schedule may not suit your working style. Also, make sure to
review your schedule once in a while. Periodic modification of your
daily schedule often helps in increasing effectiveness.
- Be calm at all times. It helps in better decision-making.
- Talk your problems out. Discussing your problem with your near and
dear ones can lighten up the pressure on the mind. If possible, they may
help solving the problem. It not, they can offer the much-needed moral
support.
- Very often it is seen that a person is not hurt so much by whatever
actually happened as by his opinion of what happened. Actions seem to
follow feeling; but actually they go together. Hence, try to control
your opinions and feelings in every situation. Building a positive
thinking approach towards every situation can do this. Remember - "It
God has brought you to it; He will see you through it". This approach
enables you to face any problem with ease.
- An old Hindi song rightly says . "Duniya mein kitna gum hain. mera
gum kitna kum hain..." Sing this song when you are feeling low and
you'll never regret not having anything.
- Don't hold on to the bad moments of life. Only good memories can
make you feel happy and light.
- No matter how busy you are, always sleep at least 7 hours each
night. Sleeping less will give you less effective hours for work.
- Exercise regularly. A 30-45 minute exercise each day can do wonders
for your body. Even walking is a good exercise.
- Last, but not the least.. Take a break. Relax and spend at an hour
with your family every evening. It's the best way to unwind after a hard
day at work.
Heavy work schedules, problems and tensions cannot be eliminated from
our lives completely. Most of the times, there's little we can do about
it. Hence, a positive outlook and a calm attitude must be developed in our
minds. This can greatly reduce the possible harsh impacts on our health.
At first it may seem difficult to implement; but gradually it will become
a way of life.
"Don't take life too seriously; we won't get out of it alive anyway!"
|
|
