Beating stress to the punch

As the year is already taking off, it’s easy to forget to look after yourself and let things get on top of you.  Self-care doesn’t have to be difficult.  Set some goals to prevent stress.

Starting with these:

1. Move it - We’re not talking boot camp.  Simply get your body moving.  Clear the mind and boost energy levels.  Take a walk, swim a few laps, or just park further away from the office and take the stairs, where possible.

2. List - what you must do, in order.  Work your way through, one task at a time.  It’s amazing how a list can focus your mind about the day ahead, and how motivating it is to cross each task off!

3. Step outside - for some fresh air and vitamin D, both hugely underrated.  If you can, take your phone calls or reply to some emails outside.  Or take a five-minute break before or after lunch.

4. Book a ticket - That’s right, book an actual break in advance.  It may only be for a weekend.  But by stepping away even for a short time, you can ward off that burn out.

5. Mindfulness - What is it that usually makes you stressed?  By identifying the triggers, you may be able to deal with stress more effectively.

It’s natural that stress will still break through, despite your best efforts - it’s life.  Remember to take a deep breath and if need be, take a step back.  If you’ve incorporated more self-care into your daily life, you’ll be more resilient, with better coping tools.