You’re not at your best when you’re stressed. In fact, your brain has evolved over millennia to release cortisol in stressful situations, inhibiting rational, logical thinking but potentially helping you survive, say, being attacked by a lion. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin thinks there’s a way to avoid making critical mistakes in stressful situations, when your thinking becomes clouded — the pre-mortem. “We all are going to fail now and then,” he says. “The idea is to think ahead to what those failures might be.”
We all know how stressful work can be, especially when we are trying to balance work life with personal life. Stress can lead to multiple negative effects on both your mental and physical health including blood pressure, heart attacks, lack of sleep, foggy brain, and a lack of focus and motivation. None of these things are conducive to productivity at work or happiness in your personal life. In order to combat stress it’s important that you make time for yourself, do the things you love, and spend time with your family and friends. Finding a great work life balance can really help you manage your stress and get more done.
Here are some more things you can try to get rid of stress:
- Meditate
- Exercise
- Eat healthy
- Go for a walk
- Pick up a hobby
- Get creative
- Organize your home or office
- Laugh with friends
- Remember to take breaks
Don’t let stress get the best of you and remember to breathe with these tips. For more ways you can beat stress at the office, check out our blog post “How to Be Mindful at the Office.”