In the midst of the current record-breaking heat wave, we are reminded that heat and stress are cozy bedfellows. Both require self- management. If you have found yourself getting steamed up over work challenges, constant change, staff shortages, politics, etc., take a breather here and work on bringing down your stress temperature.
Check your physical thermometer. Learn to recognize your physical symptoms of stress, not just the mental and emotional ones. While you may not have an actual high temperature like the outside air, your body will register, if you listen, signs to pay attention to. Are you feeling tired all the time? Holding your breath? Finding yourself flushed? Having headaches? Losing your temper or feeling like crying over the smallest thing? Making behavioral choices that feel like quick fixes in the moment but that end up making you feel worse? Pause to assess, not judge. Your stress “temperature” is not personal, it’s just data, and data is something that you can work with whereas judgment serves no purpose.
Let off steam. Identify ONE THING that could be helpful and go do it. Cool off by taking an actual lunch break away from work. Leave on time without taking any work home with you. Go for a 10-minute walk. Examine your deadlines for self-imposed, and even ridiculous, expectations and put some things off until next week. There truly are things that can wait.
Make a summer fun list. What are things that have brought you joy in the past? When was the last time you did something from that list? Maybe you’re one of those people who can’t wait for snow, but in the meantime, what is something wonderful you could do to enjoy this moment, right now, being fully present?
Turn on your air conditioner. In terms of stress, think of your internal air conditioner as the easing of stress that comes from forgiving yourself. Never mind forgiving others right now. Too often it is the self-flagellation we engage in that cooks us from the inside out. Write out the word “PERFECTION” on a piece of paper, then wad it up, stomp on it, and set a match to it (somewhere safe, of course!) Consider writing out, and framing, “Prefetcion is overrated.” Make a list of the big things you have accomplished in your life. Re-read notes you have saved from people who told you how important you have been to them. A gratitude list can bring down the temperature quicker than just about anything.
Lighten what you are carrying. Steamed about a situation with a colleague or employee? Would it help to just jump into the deep end and have the brave conversation? Carrying around the anxiety of not having the necessary conversation is like walking around in 90-degree weather wearing a lined flannel shirt. If you choose not to have the conversation, there is really only one alternative that will keep you from overheating: let it go. What might be possible for you if you were to do that?
Eat some ice cream. Bonus tip, just because it is so good, and it’s hot out, and it is summer, and we need to support the dairy state, and any other reason you can think of.
Like major weather events, if we don’t heed the warnings, we may find ourselves in situations that we can’t recover from. Tune in, turn down the heat, stay cool.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
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In Jo Anne's current role as Organizational and Workforce Development Senior Manager at the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) her aim is to offer to leaders straightforward tools and inspire the courage to use them.
In Corrie’s role as Leadership Development Educator at the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC), her aim is to empower leaders to create positive influence that enables others to serve well.
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Lead the Way in Five Minutes A Day: Sparking High Performance in Yourself and Your Team, by Jo Anne Preston is currently available for purchase.
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