Stress can be described as a situation wherein our physiological equilibrium is disturbed. It is a situation in which the ideal state is disturbed and we try to fight the situation or initiate a flight from the situation. Often called the ‘fight or flight’ response, stress causes not only for chemical imbalances in our body but also psychological dysfunction.
Under stressful conditions, our body produces certain hormones and neurotransmitters which cause us to remain on the edge. Prolonged stress can cause physical and mental problems that will negatively affect us throughout our lives. Many autoimmune diseases are now blamed on stress, just like heart disease, cancer and diabetes are also blamed for it.
Most importantly for entrepreneurs, who tend to remain stressed all the time, being inspired and remain inspired to do what they wish to do becomes very difficult. Thus, a CEO or a high-level executive must always be looking for techniques and opportunities to beat stress and remain inspired.
In this article, let us take a look at some of the techniques which can help you beat stress and remain inspired.
1. Get some sleep
There is nothing more important than getting 8 hours of sleep every day. Even if people tell you that 6 hours are enough, most published studies indicate that to perform optimally, at least 7-8 hours of sleep is required. Make sure that you maintain sleep hygiene and sleep every day at the same time. Do not schedule late night appointments with clients and try to fix them during the day. A good night’s sleep can help you to wake up nourished, rested and more productive. This will also help you to remain inspired rest of the day, instead of drowning yourself in cups of black coffee.
2. Eat well
Eating enough proteins, fats and carbohydrates are very important. Ensure that you include fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts in your diet as antioxidants and fiber are required to keep your body nourished and feeling fresh. Drinking copious amounts of water will keep you hydrated and fresh. All this helps you to beat stress. A weak body invites infections and immune system disorders. By ensuring that you are well nourished, you can remain strong, healthy and confident. That really helps you to focus on work better than anything else.
3. Get enough exercise
Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week is very crucial. If you cannot go to the gym, at least go for a brisk walk every day for thirty minutes. This will ensure that your blood sugar levels are within limits and that your stress levels are low. When we exercise, our bodies release a chemical called ‘endorphin’. Endorphin helps us to feel good about ourselves and also aid in reducing stress levels. When you feel good about yourself and when your body is healthy and strong, you will feel inspired to work hard and play harder.
4. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is a concept that was brought forward by famous clinical psychologist Marsha Linehan. Part of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness requires us to be aware of our emotions and thoughts but not react to them. For instance, if you are angry, be mindful of the physical and psychological sensations and try not to react. Similarly, when you are stressed out, practice mindfulness and try to be calm. This helps to reduce stress and will keep you inspired. Mindful meditation has helped to cure even clinically depressed and anxious people. If you are feeling rundown and tired, try mindfulness. It surely will work.
5. Listen to music
Listening to music can be a very relaxing and inspiring activity. It does not matter what kind of music you are listening to as long as you like it. If something inspires you or makes you happy, it will reduce stress levels. This is not to say that you should not listen to angry or bleak music. Listening to negative music can help too, especially when everything around you feels bleak. No matter what kind of music it is, it always helps you to unwind and beat stress. Listening to music too releases endorphin, the feel-good chemicals.
6. Maintain a journal
Maintaining a thought diary or a journal will help you to keep track of all your thoughts and emotions. This will help you to analyze them and assess what is triggering your stress. If you find that there are certain patterns which are leading to stressful conditions, you can fix those situations, instead of letting it fester. Journals are always therapeutic and most psychologists recommend maintaining a journal in order to understand our thought processes. It does not have to be a complex diary. You can just write down your thoughts and mention what triggered your stress, what were your thoughts and emotions at that time and what you did as a consequence of that.
7. Socialize
Last but not the least, try to socialize with people. It does not matter whether you meet your friends or family. You could even begin to talk to strangers. As long as you are talking to someone in person, it will help you to beat stress and feel lively. Socializing helps us to release oxytocin, a chemical that is known to reduce stress. Look for opportunities to meet people who are supportive and try to spend some time with them. This will help you to be inspired by their lives too.
Conclusion
Certainly, there is nothing more important than beating stress so that we can avoid a number of physical ailments and mental conditions. However, stress can also interfere with our professional lives and lead to a lack of productivity and efficiency. For this reason, it is important to beat stress and remain inspired. Getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, socializing with friends and family and also strangers, practicing mindfulness, listening to music and writing a journal can all help you to focus on what is important, remain calm and stay inspired. Decreased levels of stress will inspire you to work hard and play harder.
