How to manage stress and fatigue

Here are practical tips on how to work with stress when it occurs. Spoiler alert: no magic reduces stress. And indeed, there is no “one and only” fool-proof technique. Regardless of how one training is hyped or countless drugs are marketed, TED-talks are liked - none of them hold the omnipotent truth. The one thing we all have in common is that we are not the same. So how on earth should one idea fit us all?

An appeal to you:

Disengage with finding “The Right Way”. Walk the path that is good enough for you, what is the context of your real life at this present moment: your social, your physical, your spiritual and your interpersonal relatedness. So, what I propose next might and might not work for you. All we can do is try it out.

Alleviate stress and fatigue:

I see a lot of people who are chronically fatigued, feeling tired all the time. Not getting things they want to get done.

This can be physical exhaustion, due to a really demanding job, chasing after one’s children all day, or it can be emotional exhaustion from chronically worrying or feeling sad.

These take a toll day after day and decrease our momentum. When we think of increasing our energy or decreasing our stress, we usually think of things such as going to sleep early, eating habits, or even making lists of things that need to get done. All of these are excellent tools. However, I have chosen to offer you a physical exercise: Jacobson’s progressive muscle relaxation, or PMR.

PMR can be done while working; it can be done lying or sitting or standing. So, it is perfect for meetings and phone calls or when standing behind the counter. It can be beneficial in acute situations. Once trained and well-practised in PMR, it can become your automatic go-to skill when the going gets tough.

A quick note:

PMR is part of the course StressLess. However, should you want to do it alone - go for it.

Rate your stress-level before and after the exercises. For example, using a scale from 0 (I am so relaxed, I am floating) to 10 (close to a heart attack). See for yourself whether you perceive a change, now and over time.

Remember, it has to work for YOU.