Take Time Out
You will perform more effectively during work if you regularly take a short breaks. When I worked at the newspaper, I would set my outlook to flash up “screen break” every 50 minutes of so. Our brain cycles go in 90 minute cycles, so try 5 minutes every 45 minutes or 10 minutes every 90. Go and make yourself a cup of tea or coffee and get some fresh air.
Learn some mindful tools and use those if leaving your desk is frowned upon, and stand up at your desk, so you open up your chest and breath more deeply.
Try and do some walking to and from work or go out and get lunch so you get proper exercise at lunchtime, all will help deal with stress.
At home make time to enjoy a hobby that helps you relax, whether it’s taking the dog for a walk, or the latest fad of colouring for adults. Alongside this, take at least one annual break of at least 10-14 continuous days and really switch off, don’t take your phone. Away is away.
I remember one case where John came to see me about panic attacks. He was one of the senior directors of a well known construction company. His hobby was mountain biking, but recently he was experiencing panic attacks when he tried to cycle up hill. Only in his early 40’s, he had his heart checked out, and that was fine, so was told it was all in his mind. Keen to get it sorted he came to me. In the first session I could see he was rigid, not relaxing at all on the couch, and he said he loved his job so couldn’t understand why it was happening.
It turned out that his job as health and safety was part of the problem, as subconsciously he was assessing EVERY situation he found himself in. To add to that he hadn’t taken a weeks holiday in about 5 years. So over the weeks he tried to find ways of relaxing that wasn’t quite so vigorous, he went on holiday and after about 6 sessions he’d climbed that hill, not had another panic attack and found a new job!
If you are keen to start that process of learning to relax, then come for a stress assessment and find out how.
Call me or text “Assessment” to 07508 658934 or contact me for more information.
Next Article: Stress busting tip #9
Penny Ling is a widely experienced hypnotherapist who has worked with everyone from top executives to stroke victims since 2007. She has been editor of Hypnotherapy Today Magazine and is a supervisor and mentor for members of the AfSFH and NCH.
Read Penny’s inspiring story “How I beat all my phobias”, or find out more how hypnotherapy could help your problem by downloading “How Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help with life”. Feel free to send Penny a message here.
