Working professionals and Caregivers often operate under immense stress and pressure.
Triggers are varied and come from all angles ranging from:
- Work
- Pending medical appointments
- Upcoming job interviews
- Looming exams
- Money problems, debt and the cost-of-living crisis
- Caregiving duties
- Menopause
- Moving homes
- Having a baby
- Inability to switch off for a decent nights’ sleep… and so the list goes on!
If you identify with this, have experienced moments rendering you unable to think clearly, or are going through it right now, here are my tips based on what’s worked for me.
Step back and take a third person-view
Put an arm around yourself and listen to the advice of your spiritual self. Learn to take control of your thoughts by criticising yourself less, and accepting that we can only control what we can.
No amount of thinking and rethinking about things we cannot control will not improve the situation.
Flash back to past success
Give yourself a pep talk by looking back at past successes, things you’ve achieved, and things you’re super proud of. We often let life take over and forget about our accomplishments and how far we’ve come.
Reminding ourselves of positive events throughout life is an extremely powerful source of inspiration.
Share the pressure
Communication is key and we must trust the saying that ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’. Venting and off loading our problems to trusted friends and/or family is cathartic.
More than that it’s highly likely we will receive invaluable advice to get us back thinking on the right track.
Plan and prepare
By focusing on the task, and not the outcome, we can think more clearly. When we know what needs to be done we naturally begin to make a plan to achieve our goal(s). Just think about what most of us tend to do to prepare for an exam or a job interview.
Whether it’s an Action Plan or Project Plan for work, or a schedule or routine for our personal lives, having a plan always helps to lessen stress and pressure to help us think more clearly.
Learn to stay in the moment
Get in touch with your senses and embrace mindful activities:
- Listening to music
- Going for a walk
- Exercising
- Breathing techniques
- Having a nice meal
- Wallowing in a hot shower or warm bubble bath.
Learn to self love, self-care, slow down and destress
It really is impossible to pour from an empty cup or think clearly when we refuse to be kind to ourselves by slowing down and de-stressing. If you’re unsure where to start with this, have a think about when you are at your happiest and most creative?
We’re all different and have varied stress relievers. While some people need stimulation to relax i.e. through exercise, upbeat music, dancing, or watching comedy, others will prefer peace and quiet and their own space.
Get organised and create a schedule/routine
Make sure you build time into your schedule or daily routine to get better at thinking clearly under pressure.
Every day, we should have moments or mini breaks where we exercise some of the tips mentioned above.
A 15 minutes break or a longer session, for example over lunch, will do you the world of good!
