Work, Stress and Spirit

Work and Stress, my job is stressing me out, I am stressed out, how to get over work stress, how to reduce stress
Today’s post is about work, stress and spirit. Having been a VP in Technology for one of the largest financial services institutions (big bank) for more years than I want to admit, I certainly know a little something about work and stress and how it interacts with your spirit.

So when clients come to me frustrated about their life, one of the first things I look into is the amount of stress that they're feeling. Because when people are stressed-out, they're more emotionally reactive to other people and events. 

American Institute of Stress

I hear more and more about work stress these days. Was it like this 100 years ago?
   
Numerous studies show that job stress is far and away the major source of stress for American adults and that it has escalated progressively over the past few decades.  Increased levels of job stress as assessed by the perception of having little control but lots of demands have been demonstrated to be associated with increased rates of heart attack, hypertension and other disorders, per the American Institute of Stress.

Let me describe for you Maria's situation and see it is resonates with any of you. 
On this particular Monday Maria awoke at 4:15 am,  eyes opened wide before alarm clock and the sun. A feeling of despair came over her as the thoughts of the many tasks that were on her plate for the day filled her brain, overwhelming her to the point where she began grinding her teeth. She looked at the clock saying to herself, “Stop thinking about work and go back to sleep.”   Alas, sleep did not come as she lay there in bed quietly sobbing, not wanting to wake up her husband. 

If you feel like you're jumping out of your skin or find yourself frustrated, irritable or overly sensitive, then you may just have job burnout.  Like your body needs nutrients to remain healthy and your mind and spirit need you to be balanced and centered to remain healthy.  If you can relate to the above you do have options that will help balance mind, body and spirit to keep them healthy. Remember, that when you're not at-ease that's when dis-ease forms in your body.  

Like you body needs nutrients to remain healthy, so your spirit needs you to be balanced and centered to remain healthy. 


The only thing you have control over in life is YOUR reaction.


Look at Things from a Different Angle


The poor behavior of others has nothing to do with you. It's all about that person, so don't own it. Take a moment to step out of the situation that is causing you great stress and/or frustration. See the bigger picture and look at yourself within the situation in a different way. Let go of what's outside your control.   Here are a couple of examples:


Example 1
Don't ever be worried about losing your job. If it happens, be grateful for the break and time off and don't worry about your future.  Know that the universe has something much more wonderful in store for you and it's just around the corner.

Example 2
In Maria’s story, when she stepped back and re-evaluated her current situation she realized that by using a top management mentality, 8-9 hours a day was a sufficient workday instead of her usual 12-14 hour day. She was much happier as she completed what she could in her allotted day and allowed whatever she could not finish to simply wait until her next workday. When several of her teammates started utilizing the same approach, management brought in more people.    

Bringing Up Your  Vibration to Relieve Stress

Singing 
Based on research from Dr Stephen Clift, of Canterbury Christ Church University College, he says. 'If you ask any group of singers, they talk about increased happiness and sense of well-being, enhanced posture, deeper breathing, stress relief and they forget their worries….To some people, singing is almost a life-saver…. It helps them cope with depression, anxiety and bereavement. It can also be good for asthmatic conditions.”  You do not need to be able to hold a tune to get the benefits of singing, so turn on your shower and exercise your vocal cords.
Laughter
Laughter is another way to reduce stress. There are even classes out there where people get together and laugh. Laughing moves our focus from stress and frustration to areas in our brain that are beneficial to better mental health. A hearty belly laugh will exercises our abdominal muscles as well as our diaphragm, and tickles our heart
Meditation
Whether it is prayer, a mantra, listening to Barry White, or a sitting down legs crossed 1 hour guided meditation, I cannot emphasize enough about the importance of quieting the mind for stress relief. If you do not have that kind of time, try the 5 minute vacation for stress relief that I have shared in a prior post.
  
My Books are available on Amazon 


Links of items I enjoy, that you may find useful 
Berkey Water Filter  The only filter I've found that removes fluoride from drinking water. We filter fluoride from our drinking water to decalcify our pineal gland to connect to increase our spiritual awareness. (article on the Pineal Gland)
Spiritual Guide Incense I love this incense that gets me into the zone. 
Other authors books that have helped me on my journey.
The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
The Essential Rumi  by Jalal al-Din Rumi

Leeza Donatella is an author, speaker and teacher