Your ability to manage your stress levels will distinguish you as a well-adapted and balanced leader.

Stress can be good for you and I. This is because stress can encourage change. And change can lead to improved performance on and off the job.

There are however a few not so good things about stress. Here are a few I can think of.

Effects of Stress on You

• Stress can take a negative toll on health and well being
• Stress can lead to suppression of the immune system
• Stress can make the body susceptible to a number of infectious diseases
• Stress has been linked to other diseases such as hives, ulcers and heart diseases
• Stress can induce emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression

7 Ways to Effectively Manage Stress

It is almost impossible to completely eliminate stress. However, there are a number of ways you can reduce the amount of stress you have and train yourself to cope with stress.Taking some of these measures will reduce the physical and emotional health tolls of stress.

Here are 7 ways to effectively manage stress:

#1. Recognise the Signals of Oncoming Stress

One of the ways to best cope with stress is to recognise the signals that you are becoming too stressed. You need to know what activities and events trigger raised stress levels in your life. This will help you come up with strategies to reduce the amount of stress you are facing. It can also be an opportunity to weigh the benefits of some activities or completely eliminate activities that are particularly stressful.

#2. Build a Support System

By building a support system of co-workers, friends and family, you are better able to manage stress. Support systems are useful because others can help or assist you with emotional support during stressful events or activities. They can also suggest strategies for helping you cope with stress.

#3. Proper Planning and Organising

Proper planning and organising of your daily tasks is essential to good stress management. A study by noted psychologist Robert Epstein identified planning as the best technique for managing stress. Many people become stressed due to time pressures, where they leave important activities for the last minute then feel rushed and stressed to finish them within a short period of time. By planning, organising, and setting a schedule, you manage your time better and allow enough time to complete important activities without having to rush.  As a result, you have more time to relax and are not constantly be under pressure to finish a task.

#4. Exercise

Exercise is critical to building your body’s ability to manage stress. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise reduces stress and anxiety, improves your ability to sleep and boosts your immune system’s defences. Even though many leaders may not believe that they have the time to exercise, just a few minutes 2-3 days per week will have a major effect on your body’s ability to manage stress.

#5. Daily breaks

It is important to take breaks during the day to relieve stress. By giving yourself time to get away from stress, your body can return to its de-stressed condition. You refresh yourself mentally and put yourself in a better position to tackle stressful events and activities. While leaders may be tempted to commit to a non-stop work schedule, these breaks often prove to be a great boost to productivity in addition to relieving stress.

#6. Confront Stress Head on

By confronting unavoidable stressful events instead of trying to avoid them, you limit the time that they can take a toll on your body and mind. In addition to limiting this, confronting stressful activities also allows you to lessen their effect on you as your body is not affected as negatively. Feel the fear and do it. Take on the stressful task, complete it and then move on.

#7. Rest and Relaxation

Getting enough rest and relaxation is critical in properly managing stress levels. By getting enough sleep and taking enough time away from work, you allow your body to recover from stressful environments. You also reduce the negative physical and emotional effects of stress on your life.

Stress is Unavoidable

Even though stress is an unavoidable part of our daily routine, it doesn’t have to take a major toll on your mental and physical health. By following the above tips, you can achieve a successful work/life balance and achieve successful stress management.

Why not leave a comment and tell me how you manage stress.