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TMK Consulting

Early Signs of Stress

Early Warning Signs of Burn Out - Prolonged Stress

Stress features in the lives of most people – in paid employment, self employment and those who run households.

It can be as deadly as a cancer or as subtle as a mosquito bite!

Were you aware it features in the “Health and Safety in Employment Amendment Bill”? The NZ Government has finally recognised the impact prolonged stress can have on someone's life

Symptoms – Warning signs

So how do you know if you, a loved one, or someone who reports to you is suffering from burnout or prolonged stress?

Here are some of the early warning signs:

Chronic fatigue - exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down

Anger at those making demands - no matter how small

Self-criticism for putting up with the demands

Cynicism, negativity, and irritability

A sense of being overwhelmed

Exploding easily at seemingly inconsequential things

Frequent headaches and gastrointestinal (stomach/bowel) disturbances

Rapid weight loss or gain

Sleeplessness

Depression - continuously feeling glum

Shortness of breath

Suspiciousness - not trusting of people

Feelings of helplessness

Increased degree of risk taking

Loose pride in their work and appearance

A feeling that nothing is good enough

There are no quick fixes – although a bar of chocolate or a cup of coffee can sometimes mask the feelings for a short period of time.

Some examples of ways in which stress can be reduced or relieved are:

  • Taking a 10 minute break every hour
  • Take a walk
  • Laugh - ask someone to tell you a joke
  • Talk to a loved one or close friend for 5 minutes
  • Write down your frustrations and try to understand where they are coming from
  • Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
  • Have a massage
  • See a movie
  • Play a musical instrument
  • Go to the gym
  • Read a non-work related book
  • Stretch and breathe
  • Drink some water
  • Watch the sunset
  • Go on a holiday
  • Get back to nature – go for a bush walk or mountain bike ride
  • Look at photos of ‘the good times'
  • Cuddle your cat, dog or child
  • Sing
  • Dance
  • ‘Veg' in front of the TV

Almost anything that makes you feel more relaxed and calm.

 

"From Tired to Inspired" by Debra Waterhouse

I read this great book which focuses on relieving stress and fatigue from your life.

Debra's 5 key tips to remember:

1.  When you feel tired, accept the fact you are tired!

2.  Your hormones, brain chemicals, blood sugar levels, connected brain and biological rhythms keep you in close communication with your body's fatigue level - telling you when it is time to rest, refuel and replenish with one or more of the 8 natural energy sources.

3.  You have the potential to feel twice as energised by more exercise, five times as energised by food and ten times as energised by touch.

4.  Your fatigue is not telling you that you aren't good enough, organised enough, productive enough, or disciplined enough.  But it may be telling you that you aren't eating enough, drinking enough, moving enough, sleeping enough, socialising enough, laughing enough, or relaxing enough.

5.  Fatigue is a warning sign from your body that your energy equation is out of balance - and when you heed that warning and use your energy crisis positively, you'll recapture the essence or your life today and always.

 

To learn more about how you can have less stress in your life…..

Make contact with Tracy Keith – Personal Achievement Coach to find out how you can experience coaching for FREE! This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

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