all articlesMay 21, 2009
Five Stress Management Techniques
Here are a few simple techniques to help you control of your stress and be a healthier and a more effective leader.
Give your mind some rest.
If you remember studying the biochemical processes of our brain, you know that our mind is not exactly resting while we sleep. Resting our mind involves more than just sleeping for 8 hours; resting our mind involves meditating and it is estimated to be practiced by only 2 percent of the world’s population. Meditation is described by Jon Kabat-Zinn in Wherever You Go, There You Are, as mindfulness. Kabat-Zinn’s definition of mindfulness is “paying attention, on purpose, in the present, and letting go of judgment”. In essence, it’s about focusing your mind on simple task such as breathing to allow other parts of your brain to rest. It is important to understand that you cannot force thoughts away, instead let them go by focusing your attention back to your breath. Try to meditate few times a day, especially when under stress.
Learn to Delegate.
Being a dentist you’re probably of the personality type that qualifies as a “perfectionist”. You may find yourself taking on too much work out of natural desire to do everything perfect. Overwhelming yourself with work will induce a great deal of stress. Remember, in order to be an effective “stress-free” leader, you must learn to delegate. An effective leader is not a one who perform every task in the office, but one who can recognize the strengths of his/her subordinates and assign tasks to them accordingly.
Accept failure.
The idea of failure is a scary…you may even get stressed out thinking about it. The sooner you embrace failure as an inevitable part of life, the more you will benefit from your mistakes.
Know your triggers.
You know yourself better than anyone and you know which situations or triggers induce stress in your life. Make a list and analyze it. Develop a strategy for dealing with stressful situations you can not avoid … like being stuck in traffic.
Eat Well and Exersive.
You’ve heard this one over and over again because it works. Make a commitment to exercise for cardiovascular fitness three to four times a week. Maintain a well-balanced diet and maintain your ideal weight.