Get More Time Series #6
We waste so much time being stressed out. When we get overworked at home, at work, or both, we tend to think that we can work ourselves out of the jam. Is that ever really the case? Some of the most enlightening moments in life are when we are on a break from the action. Have you ever come up with one more thing to try when sitting in the bathroom? Have you ever had that one great idea while standing in a long hot shower? Ever seem to just figure something out while laying in bed trying to fall asleep?
We often skip our work breaks in favor of a quickly assembled meeting. We replace our lunch breaks with closed door work sessions. Instead of getting out of the office and going for a mind-clearing break, we just push our faces deeper into your computer screen. Instead of investing the time in a real break, we choose to waste it beating our head against the unforgiving brick wall.
When we get stressed our brains release a hormone called cortisol. This hormone is the chemical responsible for keeping our bodies on high alert in case it has to defend itself. It is the reason why our shoulders and neck get tight and sore after a really tough day at the office. Cortisol really is amazing when it is used correctly. Our body makes plenty of it when we are trying to finish our work on time, it doesn’t know the difference between a tough boss or a lion attack. Our body only knows that when we get scared and stressed, it needs to protect itself from the enemy -even if that enemy is just a missed deadline.
The problem with cortisol is that if we don’t give it a job, it comes back to haunt us. Increased levels of cortisol in the body can cause a whole host of illnesses and diseases. Things like high blood pressure, muscle weakness, rapid weight gain, and osteoporosis are just some of the bad things that can happen if we are constantly in a stressed state. So, why waste our time by not taking the time to get a good break in when the stakes get high and the demand on our minds and bodies are peaked.
One of the best ways of getting rid of cortisol is to move your muscles! A good sweat goes a really long way in flushing cortisol from our bodies. When you are stressed out and your body is in all-out protection mode and the cortisol is flowing like beer at a frat party, it is at that moment that an investment in exercise will translate into you gaining more time now and in the future. Get out for a brisk walk in the middle of a hectic workday and get your heart beating; sweat a little! Your mind, body, and soul will pay you back for the investment of time.
ACTIVITY – Make it a priority to go forward or a brisk 30-minute walk on your lunch hour (preferably in nature). If this is not a work day, take this walk around the mid-point of your day. Don’t listen to any music, put your phone on mute and just walk. If you think about your problems, great, if not, just admire your surroundings and let your muscles burn off the cortisol. When you return, write about your walk in your journal.
Get More Time Series by
Yves Doucet, CEO and Culture Coach Dovico
NEXT TOPIC: It’s not easy to remain in control of situations but if we make it a habit to remain in control of our emotions, we notice that we have more time to learn and react.
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