Stress Busters…..(bustin’ makes me feel good)
[tweetmeme]
The first quarter of this year has been trying in the extreme, so for anyone who wants them here are my top ten tips for dealing with stress:
1) Go for a run. Running is scientifically proven to reduce stress. It clears your mind and relaxes your muscles.
2) Punch someone. Ok so this may seem a little extreme, but believe me it has its medicinal worth. It can also be combined with 1 (above) if the person is bigger than you.
3) Have a cuddle. Make sure it is with a willing participant otherwise they may use it as an opportunity to indulge in 2 (above) therefore reducing their stress levels but increasing yours.
4) Read a book. Ok, so we have all this social media stuff and internet and mobile technologythingumbybobs. But give yourself a quiet half hour with a book and see whether you feel better. (NOTE: HR textbooks or books by “Business Gurus” do not fall within this category)
5) Drink. Ok so this one might sound contrary to all medical advice given by anyone anywhere outside of Russia. But the odd glass of what you fancy will not kill you, it will not hurt you and it will make you feel better about the world.
6) Tell someone how you feel. Kind of obvious, but how many times do we stew over something that is really winding us up, and it just becomes bigger and bigger and bigger and…… Wouldn’t it just be easier to let it out? We all know, better out than in…..
7) Get some sun. This may play more towards those of us that live in cold climes. But a little sun on the face, the feeling of warmth on your body, it makes you happy. If you have been wading through snow, ice, rain for months then of course you are stressed. Every day is grim. Seek the sun, this is not indulgence, this is investment in YOU plc.
8) Skive off, take a duvet day. Remember Ferris Bueller’s Day Off? You know what I’m saying? Just don’t crash the car…..
9) Go home on time every day for a week. What is the worst that can happen? And you never know you might even start a trend within your workplace.
10) Leave your job. Either involuntarily because of 2,3,4,5,6,8 or 9 above. Or because it sucks and you deserve better life.
NOTE: Any unpleasantness that results from following any of the above advice is a direct result of karma and in no way can be attributable to me or this website. You create your own luck in this game! 🙂
My Hell is Other People 
I wish I can do #10 but with the state of the economy right now, I’ll just settle with 1-9!
Never do 5 immediately before 6 – work equivalent of drunk dialing…
Stress is T shaped. The vertical represents your trajectory – your going from point A to point B. The horizontal represents the force that crosses your trajectory. Stress is a response triggered by attachment to the trajectory. To de-stress, give up point B. Go where the world takes you. Enjoy the journey.
I am a new reader of this blog and wanted to congratulate you on combining entertaining with thought provoking. I am not a HR professional, I am in the world of Internal Communications where a close relationship with the HR team is essential. I now get better info (and less mumbo jumbo) on the latest developments in HR from these types of blogs than I do from the CIPD website.
My only HR claim to fame is I’ve been to Dave Ullrich’s home in Utah.
You had me at running. I thought to myself, “HRD is sounding so healthy and scientific.” Then the punch. Your form is flawless. Another brilliant post – thanks!
@Thuy – That sounds like things are not going so well for you. I hope they pick up soon.
@G-dog – Alcholic confessions are the new black. Bring them on!
@Henry – That kind of had me for a moment and then I realised that this theory doesn’t remove the stress, it just allows the stress to guide you. I’m not entirely sure that is healthy, certainly in my case I would probably be in prison by now……!
@Mark – Welcome and thank you so much for the incredibly kind comments. Bless the CIPD, they do their best…..no honest they do, really…..I’m not joking…..OK maybe I am…….! As for Ulrich, you can’t just say that and not expand!
@mkeeffer – I do run as well……honest!
Brilliant & Total Giggles….so want to do 2, but will am in the process of 10…Thank You 🙂
@Darren – Welcome and thanks for commenting…..maybe do 2 just after you have done 10????
Hi, loved your advice! With your permission will share with my frds….