Workweek Feel Like a Mad Dash? 10 Stress-busting Ways to Find Calm in the Midst of Chaos Mindfulness

I'm sitting at my desk with a looming deadline, overflowing inbox, phone calls to return, two dogs at my feet and a chirping Fitbit. I am feeling stress, overwhelm and out of control. I am laser focused on what is happening around me, instead of what’s happening in me. Josh Freedman describes stress as shorthand for a sense of imbalance and impending chaos. Breaking the stress spiral requires a focus inward to gain: 

• Self-awareness 
• Recognition that there are options 
• Intentionality

Turn inward and challenge yourself to: 

• Recognize triggers and patterns of behavior that lead to stress.
• Identify self-limiting thoughts and false beliefs.
• Identify options to create better balance and promote a healthy lifestyle.
• Break the stress cycle with a different response.
• Establish supportive communities (like the 30Seconds tribe!) to increase dialogue about causes of stress.
• Be intentional with decisions weighing the consequences.
• Change your perspective, and perhaps, break things up into bite-sized chunks.
• Find the silver lining.
• Respond versus react to pressures, limited time constraints and resources.
• Align choices and decisions with what matters most.

Learn more about the stress spiral.