Managing your stress levels is key to optimising your performance, says Elizabeth Kirby - a post doctoral fellow at Berkeley University.
“I think intermittent stressful events are probably what keeps the brain more alert, and you perform better when you are alert,” Kirby, says.
The bulk of your stress is subjective and under your control, and top performers use 7 core strategies to manage their stress levels
1. be Grateful for what you have - taking time to contemplate the good around you and being grateful, wi improve your mood, attitude and physical well being
2. Avoid the "what if" or "if only" and avoid negative thoughts - it will only bring bad vibes and longing - the more time you worry about the what if , the less time you have of taking action.
3. Stay positive - when you are positive, your mood is good, and you will attract positiveness around .
When things are going poorly, and your mind is flooded with negative thoughts, this can be a challenge. In these moments, think about your day and identify one positive thing that happened, no matter how small. If you can’t think of something from the current day, reflect on the previous day or even the previous week. Or perhaps you’re looking forward to an exciting event that you can focus your attention on. The point here is that you must have something positive that you’re ready to shift your attention to when your thoughts turn negative.
4. Disconnect
Take a break, go for a walk, go offline - the Jews do this on the seventh day - take a rest!
5. Breathe
If you are getting worked up, take time out , breathe deeply - count to 20 - and calm down - it tends to work -
Yoga is pretty cool I am told !
6. Stay healthy
Eat well, look good and get proper sleep. My wife Robyn says that if she has a good nights Sleep, there Is nothing that can phase her.
My daughter Tanya says that if I reach my goal weight, I will be able to do anything!
7. Reframe your perspective
Stress and worry are fueled by your own skewed perception of events.
You may have unrealistic deadlines, unforgiving bosses, and out-of-control traffic causing you stress all the time. You can’t control your circumstances, but you can control how you respond to them. So before you spend too much time dwelling on something, take a minute to put the situation in perspective.
If you’re thinking in broad, sweeping statements such as “Everything is going wrong” or “Nothing will work out,” - List the specific things that actually are going wrong or not working out. (You will probably find there a re only a few of them - and develop strategies to deal with them .
8. Use your team and you're support system
Don't try and do everything yourself. People around you would more
Often than not be delighted to help... Share the load
