Does it have to be this way at work?
Good stress management is an important part of today’s workplace practice by managers. The following are ways in which individuals can manage their stress:
- Be active
- Take control
- Connect with people
- Have some ‘me time’
- Challenge yourself
- Avoid unhealthy habits
- Help other people
- Work smarter, not harder
- Be positive
- Accept the things you can't change
As an expert in clinical hypnotherapy and coaching I work with people all the time on the above points and yet, wouldn’t it be fantastic if companies could move away from the traditional do nothing or internal coaching models to employ consultants who could not only come into the company and coach freely but also counsel and work with individuals in solution based hypnotherapy. I’ve attended numerous HR networking events and heard from companies who pay for their employees to attend counselling and therapy yet apart from internal coaches I have not known companies to employ internal hypnotherapists as yet? I may be wrong, however, the way I see it, life isn’t going to change and stress at work is only going to become more prevalent!!
Is there anything that I can do NOW to ease stress? Yes, meditation.
This article wasn’t meant to be wholly a rant about stress at work! It is about meditation… Certainly in the last 5 years the term mindfulness has become really prevalent. Mindfulness meditation is a simple practice which can help break the cycle of anxiety and stress. You could choose to join a mindfulness group or a meditation class. However you choose to meditate you will find a technique that is right for you.
I’ve enjoyed meditating for a number of years now and I have found that I really do enjoy guided, over self-meditation, this is a service that I also offer clients by the way. The best time for me to meditate is between waking up and choosing to get on with the day; a friend of mine wakes up at 5.30 in the morning in order to meditate for an hour before the daily routine commences. Sessions can last from 20 minutes to an hour and to get the best effect and listen to a track from ‘Youtube’ via earphones. I personally do not choose what I want to get from meditation I let my subconscious decide for me but I do know that some people would choose to concentrate on lowering blood pressure, depression, anxiety to maybe become less angry, concentrate on a specific aspect of life that is bothering them at the present. During meditation you can expect a metaphoric story to be played out in your mind, to see different colours, to hear different things; everyone’s meditative state is different but it is a fantastic journey.
Famous Endorsements - The Metro recently reported that “…things have never looked so good for Jennifer Aniston…” she looks stunning and much younger than her real age. So how does she stay healthy and fit?
“I used to be very strict and not eat carbs after 5 PM. Carbs are my weak spot. I am not a sweet girl. But every 2 weeks or so, I will have a big bowl of pasta. 4 to 5 days a week I will do a run, mixed in with strength training or yoga. The yoga’s mishmash but it’s like cardio or power yoga. Sometimes I will do a 30 minute spin class. I tried to keep it interesting.”
“I do transcendental meditation. Growing up in California, there was always some sort spirituality, and I always try to do my version of meditating, and whatever that was, or just being quiet. But in 2009 I got hooked on TM. I can’t really put my finger on what’s changing, but something is tangible. I try to do it twice a day.”
As reported in The Metro, Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Transcendental meditation is a form of mantra meditation that is meditation by facilitated by the means of sound, a syllable, a word or a group of words believed to have psychological and spiritual power. For example the OM mantra is a very powerful tone and vibration which is sacred in a number of religions.
I would really advocate the use of a number of differing meditative techniques until you find one which you can relate to, enjoy and one which you feel drawn to - I challenge you to practice meditation daily for between 4 to 8 weeks before deciding it’s not for you.
Guided Meditation for relaxation and stress.
If you’d like to talk to me about guided individual or group meditations, relaxation and removal of stress and anxiety from your life (or company) then I’d be delighted to meet for coffee or chat on the phone. Contact Me to make that free no obligation meeting request.