CLEAR your thoughts
to manage stress better
Has the term stress become a fashion
expression or do you associate your inability to do something perfectly to the
name? It is time to ponder and differentiate the feelings you experience with
the idiom. While stress is caused many times by people and circumstances, the
biggest culprit of stress is you and your own thoughts. Let us use the acronym
CLEAR and understand how by clearing your thoughts, you can manage stress
better.
C – Creating Stories
We are great scriptwriters and
storytellers. While there is a huge difference between what exactly has
happened and what we have made out of what has happened, even before
deciphering what exactly has happened stories are conceived, written and
already shared coupled with emotions of frustration and anger. Hold on and tell
yourself Pause – Rewind – Play to, first of all, understand what exactly has
happened.
L – Listen
Our baggage of experience is so phenomenal
that we don’t have any patience to listen empathetically to others. We always
want to speak first, more and pour our heart to the other person who also wants
to do a similar thing. While you speak you also judge the other person without
actually understanding his actual concern. Listening actively and
empathetically often helps you in unveiling the root cause of the problem and
enables you to deal with people or situations better.
E – Empty your Cup
Being open and flexible is one of the
fundamental quality required to not fall prey to stress. The more rigidity you
display in your character, the tougher it gets to handle people and situations.
Be like water agile and flow in to take the shape of the container it is poured
into. Life would get easier and simple by inculcating this attitude
consciously.
A – Are you in control of everything around you?
Another reason why we extend our character
of rigidity is because we feel we have to be in control about everything. This
quality makes you being hard on yourself and causes more anxiety. Anxiety
transforms into perennial stress and becomes a way of life for many. Not a good
sign! Stress being a way of life can cause myriad of physical and mental health
issues. So, break your shackles lose and take life as it comes. You can be in
control of your words, behaviour and actions. However, it is time you realize
you have no control over other people’s words, behaviour, actions and
challenging situations.
R – Respond, don’t react
We cannot communicate. Our reactions are
not only measured by the words we speak but also by the way we communicate
non-verbally. Yes, certainly our verbal and non-verbal communication are under
our control and we can train ourselves to respond courteously no matter what
the situation is. Reacting instantaneously may lead you to a more confusing
labyrinth of stress. Taking time out to introspect and understand the situation
or perspective thoroughly can simplify your life.
Easier said than done though. The sooner you consciously take charge of your emotions and behaviour, you will develop capabilities of a mature, confident and a reliable professional. So CLEAR your thoughts to manage stress better!
