“Why is it that workplace stress is one of the most common forms of stress in our society today/” asks Lauren E. Miller, author of 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Stressing Out!
Miller points to one of Mother Teresa's famous quotes, “Bloom where you are planted,” and admits it is easier said than done. What if the garden you find yourself in is full of weeds: ego-driven people, negative thinkers, victims, control freaks and gossipers?
According to Miller, our perceptions of the world around us flow directly from our perceptions of ourselves. Do we see the world as an opportunity for learning and growth or is the world out to get us? Do we approach our co-workers from a collaborative spirit or one that says, “What's in this for me?”
In order to bloom, says Miller, it is essential to have a healthy, strong root system under the ground feeding and supporting growth and new life. A clear perception of reality leads to accuracy in response. She offers these three tips to get relief from workplace stress:
- What frustrates you most about the people you work with? Make a list. Become aware of the emotional charge within as you go through your day and pause for a moment asking: What can I shift within myself in order to maintain inner peace and calm?
- Remember that your greatest opportunity for growth in life comes when your buttons are pushed. Ask yourself: Do I feel judged? Unappreciated? Unrecognized? If so, this is a sign that you are seeking your sense of self worth from the outside in rather than the inside out. When you feel safe and confident within, it’s amazing how that begins to reflect into the world around you.
- When you shift how you perceive yourself within, your view of reality shifts. To help grow in your connection with you, it is essential to honor the BRAC: the basic rest activity cycle of the body. Every 90 minutes in your workday take a 20-minute break to rest. Breathe deeply into your stomach, closing your eyes. Download your positive experiences in life. Remember, whatever you focus on grows bigger.