Quick Tip:  Relieve your stress NOW

    Yesterday, I walked into my favorite coffee shop.  One of the baristas was on the brink of tears.  She wasn’t feeling well and was under tremendous stress.   Unfortunately, every co-worker she contacted was unable to fill in for her and her shift had just started.  I wanted to jump behind the counter to help, but anyone who’s tasted my coffee…  The place was noisy and there was a steady stream of customers.  Here’s the tip I gave her for immediate relief – and it works!

GETTING A GRIP:

When you find yourself in a stressful situation, unable to cope…

VISUALIZE:   Imagine your most favorite place in the world; picture it in your mind.  Is it a beach?  A forest?  A country road?  Imagine the sounds, smells, colors, texture.   (30 seconds or less.)

BREATHE:  Take a few deep breaths.  (If short on time, stop here.)

END GOAL:  Now that you feel better, don’t allow the stress to overwhelm you again.  Set a short-term end-goal. 

Example 1:  I will do well on this test.  And then go about taking steps to make it happen.  (Study – but be specific, call a friend for notes, research, review textbook, review notes, highlight, look at key learning material, find a quiet spot, turn off my cell phone, stop looking at Facebook or Twitter 🙂  )

Example 2:  I will not give my co-worker the power to upset me.  I will take the steps necessary to turn this day around.  (Change my attitude – I will not focus on or obsess over the negative, stay busy, be polite – but don’t listen to the person’s negative talk, do my best work ever, be kind to customers, smile at others, see myself walking out the door happy, smiling. )  After you made it through the day, perhaps your next goal is to find a new job???   Or an attitude change??  Remember:  How you relate to others is often how others relate to you.

Would love to hear from you.  Give this a try and let me know how it worked for you.