FLOW with Stress in LIFE
Stress is the #1 problem in the workplace today. It’s a pretty big issue in our personal lives too. April is Stress Awareness Month, so I am continuing my focus on helping you understand and manage stress better. In my past posts, I have shared what stress is and how to recognize it in your life and body.
Now, I will share with you my 4-step process for managing stress in your life. The process is called F.L.O.W., which is a simple acronym for the four steps in the process.
The steps are:
F: FOUNDATION – The way you start your day impacts how you manage the twists and turns throughout your day. Think about a tree that has deep roots. It can withstand a storm. The same thing works for us. If we get better grounded at the beginning of our day, we can withstand the storms of the day better. Some ideas are instead of tuning into the daily damage report, otherwise known as the news, start your day with a little quiet time. Use this time to pray, meditate, journal your thoughts, jot down what you are grateful for, or repeat a mantra or affirmation of positivity. There is much research to support the positive influence that consistently doing one or some of these practices will have on your outlook. If possible, carve out some time to exercise. Start with just 10 minutes and work your way up. This will get the feel-good hormone of endorphins flowing and make it easier to face the headwinds of the day.
L: LISTEN – Take time to listen to others. Oftentimes, we only listen to respond vs. listening to understand. This robs us and whoever we are communicating with the opportunity to connect. As human beings, we are built for connection with others. This makes us happier. One of the best ways to do that is to use your ears and mouth in proportion to each other. In other words, listen twice as much as you talk.
O: OPTIONS – Look for opportunities to bring value to other people. When we help other people, not only do we and the person we helped get a dose of some feel-good hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, but anyone else who sees us show kindness to another person is inspired to do the same. This creates a ripple effect of goodness. Learn more here.
W: WRAP IT UP – Ending your day is just as important as the foundation of your day. The suggestions I provided in the FOUNDATION step can also be done here with one caveat. I recommend in lieu of hard exercise; do something more relaxing like a restorative yoga practice or stretching. In a previous post, I shared a video on bedtime stretches. You can find it here. This week’s video is a gentle yoga practice you can use to wrap up your day.
Click here for this week’s video which includes a 14-min yoga flow
NOTE: I offer keynotes, half-day, and full-day workshops on the F.L.O.W. process. Feel free to reach out to me at anita@workflowgrow.com or use this calendar link to schedule a meeting to discuss providing this help to your team or organization.
Inquiry Question: What small adjustment can you make to your morning routine, to create a stronger foundation for your day?
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