Quick Tips for Beating Holiday Stress

December 15, 2009 in Career and Job Search Tips, HR Best Practices

 

Feel like there are too few hours in a day?  Running on little sleep?  Concerned about your job, your family, or the economy?

Combine these every day pressures with the additional strain of the holidays and you have a recipe for STRESS.  Here are four quick steps to help you beat it:

Step 1:  Breathe

Sit back in your chair, close your eyes, and take a long breath in.  Hold your breath for a few seconds and slowly exhale.  Repeat four to five times.  Going back to the basics of simple breathing will help you relieve anxiety.

Step 2:  Take a Break

Get up and stretch.  Take a brisk walk.  Plan lunch with a friend.  Or even better, join a friend for a workout over your lunch break.  Taking a few minute “mini-vacation” from your responsibilities is just what your mind needs to cut the stress and recharge.

Step 3:  Focus

Nothing creates stress faster than trying to do two things at once.  Instead of multi-tasking, keep a prioritized to-do list.  Use this list to set daily goals, and then focus on one item at a time.  To improve your concentration, ban distractions like e-mail, phone calls, etc.  The more organized and focused you become, the more you will enjoy your work.

Step 4:  Find Balance

Try not to take your work home with you.  Schedule time for family and friends.  Get regular exercise.  Take up a hobby.  And most importantly, do whatever makes you smile.  Happiness is the best stress release!

Stress cannot be avoided, and a certain amount of it can actually help you stay motivated to do your best.  The key is to find ways to break the tension before it has a negative effect on your outlook and your personal life.

Kinsa Can Help Reduce Stress, Too

Whether you’re under pressure to quickly hire a food and beverage industry specialist, or are anxious over your current job situation, Kinsa Group provides professional recruiting services to make things easier.  Visit our website to find out what we do for employers and job seekers alike.