How to handle stress ... any ideas?

[Yoly1001]

Well I have a pretty busy job most of the time, but during the summer I am working full time so its even more hectic. To add insult to injury we are starting a new study and have been working extra hard to get the project off the ground. I mean for the first time in my life I am actually taking work home with me and sitting down at the computer after my duaghter goes to bed until about midnight. I did that twice last week!

It is an amazing opportunity what I get to do. I work at the University of Houston and I am in research. I am getting to do things that people who have their doctorate get to do and I've only just graduated with my undergrad like two months ago. I start grad school in a month, sigh, one more thing to worry about.

Well anyway, my bosses have unofficially made me the project director of our new grant that looks at Katrina evacuees here in Houston. It is a huge study worth millions and an absolutly increadible opportunity for me to learn more.

The problem is that I have to learn some techniques that will help me deal with the stress. We are in a time crunch and things have got to get done quickly.

I am so stressed out over work that I actually developed a cold sore on my lip, never in my life have I had one of those and now I have one, a friend said it was due to stress!

So for those of you guys that have a stressful job, how do you cope. What do you do throughout the day to relax even if its just for a few minutes.

Everyone tells me that its super busy because we are starting a new project that it will slow down in a few weeks, but I need some tricks to help me get through the rest of this month.

Any suggestions?

[Lisa M]

Yoly, first off, Congratulations on the wonderful job! You obviously have shown excellent potential for you to be able to get the director position.

For handling stress I suggest finding what every way you can use as an outlet either physical, emotional, or spiritual during these times: exercise; counseling with a pastor, good friend, parent; lots and lots of prayer Anything to take the focus off of being stressed and working on what the important parts of life are.

Deligating things to others is one suggestion I have for you when you begain the project; lighten the load for yourself during school and time with your daughter


Best wishes as you embark on this new adventure for yourself! You've come a long way, baby! And we're all so proud of you

[ttdriver]

Congrats, Yoly on the terrific opportunity! Wow it sounds great!

So for those of you guys that have a stressful job, how do you cope.

I have a very stressful job. I am an eligibility analyst for a major health insurance carrier and have my own 'book of business' for large organizations with hundreds of thousands of employees combined. I am responsible to all of them to ensure that their membership's eligibility is current and that their electronic files run smoothly. The workload is relentless and I have ALOT of customer interaction on the phone, through instant messages, etc. I am on the phone for about 4 hours a day. The job involves alot of "production-type" responsibilities (read: DEADLINES) which provide alot of stress in themselves.

The ONLY way I can deal with the demands of this job is with rigorous exercise. My exercise of choice, of course, is running .. which is an ideal stress reliever. I can come home from work tensed up and frazzled and within 2-3 miles, I can literally and physically feel the stress neutralize and my energy is restored! Its an amazing thing, honest!

I am definitely one of those people who could easily say "I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR EXERCISE", but the truth is, I can not afford NOT TO. Its my sanity break; my ME TIME; the time to put aside all the other demands in my life: employee, wife, mother, housekeeper, bill payer, cook, homeowner ... and truthfully, its the exercise that I credit to helping me stay on track, not only with my Atkins maintenance, but with my own peace of mind.

Whatever exercise you love, do it with all your heart. YOUR HEART WILL THANK YOU! And you will discover that the stress will MELT away!!

I've often said to myself, "How do I get rid of stress? I drown it in the pool of sweat!"

Betty

[fawn]

Your last sentence betty is wonderful! Drown it in a pool of sweat! I love it!!
It's true yoly....exercise is a great way to handle your stress.
As well, make sure you take the time at work to stop and breath deep. Breath from very deep in your stomach and slowly release. I imagine you have a couple of 15 min. breaks?? Take that time to find a quiet place to just get into some great breathing/meditation techniques. You will be amazed at the renewed vitality the fresh oxygen will provide. The majority of us do not breath properly to begin with. Try this link and do a search on conscious breathing.
http://www.breathing.com/articles/classroomchaos.htm.

“I now understand that in times of extreme stress and confusion, I can always go back to my breath.”
– Lee Glickstein, Public Speaking Coach

[presidentholmes]

Um, well, I do have a very good fix but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to put it onto this family board so I better not.

[ladyinred]

Oh Mr. Pres...tsk....I'm sure Yoly is looking for things she can do at work. You silly.

Congratulations Yoly. In general, I would say, continue to eat properly, exercise as Betty says and try to have some balance as well (easy to say, not so easy to do). make sure you have time with your daughter and time for yourself as well. And it's okay to let the house get messy for a while - don't let that add to your stress.

During the day take a few minutes to stretch or just walk around a bit. Sometimes just getting away from the work for a few minutes helps.

[Jerzaka]

SWIM!!!

I recently started and let me tell you.... there's no energy left for stressin'! I swear, you're too pooped to party and sleep like a baby.

[Ensifer]

I find that when the stress of work, school, and life start to creep up on me that a sunset drive down the coast works wonders. I stop off at one of the beaches and just sit and watch the water, listen to the birds, and take in some much needed quiet time.

- Tom