Mark Lyttleton is an angel investor and business mentor who provides business leaders with financial backing and professional mentorship, as well as personal advice to help them deal with the many pressures involved in launching, running and growing a successful business. Furthermore, he also helps them to work smart to improve their work/life balance.
This article will share five pointers to help deal with and reduce stress.
Recognise Stress
The first step to dealing with stress is making the connection between felling ill, tired or overwhelmed and pressures in daily life. Physical warnings such as migraines, headaches, overtiredness and tense muscles should not be overlooked. You can learn more about the physical impact of stress by viewing the embedded PDF.
Take Control
Stress can make sufferers feel powerless, encouraging passive thinking and leaving them feeling that they cannot do anything about their problem. Professor Cary Cooper, occupational health expert at the University of Lancaster, points out that not taking control of the situation will only make the problem worse. He advocates adopting a positive outlook and having a good social network as key steps in managing stress. You can learn about the impact of stress on UK businesses by viewing the embedded infographic.
Be Active
In terms of eliminating or mitigating stress, there is no silver bullet. However, exercise can be incredibly effective in terms of alleviating emotional intensity, providing a release and helping participants to clear their thoughts and deal with their problems more calmly. Discover how exercise helps promote mental wellbeing by viewing the embedded video.
Identify Triggers
In terms of tackling stress, it is crucial to identify the underlying cause. Where an individual identifies an issue in their life that is causing them stress and anxiety, it is important to find a practical solution. While there is no point worrying about things that you have no control over, it is important to take a proactive stance wherever possible. For example, if an individual’s employer is making redundancies there is nothing they can do to stop that – but what they can do is focus on aspects that are within their control, like seeking out new employment.
Lifestyle Changes
Stress often results from an individual trying to take on too much. If stress is taking its toll on your health it is important to take action, be it delegating tasks to other people or altering the style of work you do or way you do it. Coping mechanisms like substance abuse have their own health implications; while they may offer temporary relief, in the long-term they are likely to make an individual’s problems worse.