Do you remember what life was like before we had to worry about COVID? You could dash into a store, greet a friend with a hug, and have loud, enthusiastic conversations with strangers at a crowded restaurant. Now, depending on where you are in the US and where you’re going, you probably don’t leave the house without a mask!
The point is that we have many new things on our minds these days, so it is not surprising that people are feeling stressed. Are you one of those people feeling stressed? What is the impact of stress? How can you better manage stress? Here we uncover some truths and provide tips to achieve a positive, constructive day and foster a healthy environment for your crew!
Recognize The Impact of Stress On You and Your Crew
While we often use this space to talk about how you can support your crew so that they are better able to work safely, here we are going to talk about YOU. How does stress impact you? How does your stress affect the crew?
Think about these questions and consider the following.
Mental Health & Wellness Takes Action
We know more about mental health and wellness than we ever have before, but just because we know more doesn’t mean that we remember to put that knowledge into practice. Daily, you’re focused on maintaining a safe and productive job site. You’re a supervisor, so the responsibility rests on your shoulders.
When you take care of yourself, you can be there for others when they need you.
Below are the top activities for stress reduction. For most, the following will suffice for managing stress. Take it upon yourself to be consistent, and you will develop these healthy habits. If stress is impacting your daily functions, speak to a professional.
These Five Practices Help to Relieve Stress and Anxiety
1. Routine Exercise
Perhaps the best thing you can do to counteract the stress hormones your body produces when under pressure is exercise. A good workout can make you feel good, calm you down, and help you to sleep better at night. As long as you don’t overdo it, there’s almost no downside.
2. Consume Less Caffeine
While coffee is excellent, it (or pop or energy drink) can increase anxiety and disrupt sleep. If you have a hectic week ahead, consider trading some of the coffee you drink for decaffeinated coffee or decaf tea.
3. Spend Time With Friends
Both men and women benefit from friendships, and studies have shown that people with good friends are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. It’s common for adults to have only a few close friends. So don’t be afraid to reach out and make an effort. Likely, that person could also use a friend!
4. Practice "Box Breathing."
Take a slow, deep breath. Pause for a few seconds. Exhale slowly, letting all of the air out. Pause for a few seconds. Repeat. This type of breathing can relax your nervous system and reduce stress.
5. Meditate (Or Be Mindful)
There are many ways to meditate, and everyone does it differently. But If you cannot meditate, you can always practice mindfulness to slow your thoughts down and reset them when needed. This can mean concentrating on your steps, focusing on each breath, or chewing your lunch more slowly!
Personnel Health Human-Resources
